DeSantis ‘moved on’ from feud with Disney, suggests the company does the same
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Amidst his presidential campaign and ongoing state litigation with the Walt Disney Company, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has “moved on” from the battle, and wants Disney to do the same.
“Apart from Florida, Disney has had a lot of problems and I think that the skirmish they got in with these young kids [K-3 Parental Rights bill] – I think that’s a symptom of why they’re not doing as well,” the governor said to CNBC. “Parents have lost some confidence.”
“Look – my wife and I, we got married at Disney World,” DeSantis went on. “So, it’s not like we’re opposed […] I would just say, go back to what you did.”
“But, where we are today – you know – we basically moved on,” he said. “They’re suing the state of Florida, they’re going to lose that lawsuit. So what I would say is, drop the lawsuit.”
DeSantis went on to rattle off the economic benefits and strengths of Florida, such as being ranked number one by CNBC for its economy, leading business formations, having strong unemployment statistics and more.
“This is a great place to do business, your competitors all do very well here,” he added. “Universal, Sea World, they have not had the same special privileges as you have.”
“So all we want to do is treat everybody the same, and let’s move forward. I’m totally fine with that, but I’m not fine with giving extraordinary privileges, you know, to one special company at the exclusion of everybody else.”
DeSantis’ comments come as his appointed board that replaced the previously Disney-controlled board in the Walt Disney World area continues overhauling the district, recently abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The battle between the governor and Disney, which he now said has been “moved on” from, was still going strong just a few months ago, when the Florida Legislature worked with the governor to “nullify” Disney’s last-minute dealings with its formerly controlled district.
The Florida governor’s battle with Disney was a point of contention among other GOP presidential candidates, such as former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
