Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is locked in an ongoing battle against Disney World. In the latest move, DeSantis unveiled a legislative push that would void a last-hour agreement made by the entertainment company. The move puts the governor in direct conflict with the Walt Disney Company and opens the possibility of a court battle (The New York Times).
This is not the first time DeSantis has clashed with Disney. The governor has made multiple moves to exert more control over Disney properties in Florida. In one instance, he suggested that a state prison be built near Disney World. The suggestion was met with backlash, with social media users criticizing the governor’s idea as inappropriate (Yahoo News).
DeSantis’s moves against Disney have also included suggesting punitive steps, further escalating the feud. Meanwhile, the governor’s appointees are working on “voiding” the Disney World Agreement, which has been in place for several decades. DeSantis has made it clear that he intends to have more control of land owned by Disney, and he is willing to use any means necessary (The New York Times).
The feud between DeSantis and Disney seems to be more personal than anything else, as the governor continues to look for ways to exert his power over the company. Some have speculated on the reasons behind the governor’s recent moves, with some suggesting that it may be a way to gain support from constituents ahead of his expected re-election bid in 2022 (Deadline).
Whatever the reason, it remains to be seen how the ongoing feud between DeSantis and Disney will play out. The governor has made it clear that he is willing to use all the tools at his disposal to have more control over the various Disney properties in Florida, including their theme parks. The conflict between DeSantis and Disney is likely to continue for some time, and could even end up in court or in national news headlines, as the governor faces the entertainment giant with unwavering determination (CBS News).
