DeSantis responds to criticisms of previously receiving campaign money from Disney
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – In a recent interview, Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism of previously receiving campaign money from Disney.
During an interview with the Brian Kilmeade Show, the presidential hopeful said he won’t “lay down” for donors and that he will “stand up for what’s right” even if it goes against what a supporter or donor believes.
Disney gave DeSantis’ previous political committee $50,000 in 2019 and $50,000 in 2021, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
“How utterly bizarre. I mean, somebody does a campaign contribution and you’re supposed to lay down for them? That’s not how I operate. People can support me or not support me. I call them as I see them. And if you’ve supported me, but you’re wrong, I’m going to do what’s right,” DeSantis said.
Last month, the governor announced his run for president in 2024.
In February, the Florida legislature approved a bill that strips Disney of its self-governing powers and overhauls the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The previous Reedy Creek board gave the company enormous power to Disney through developmental agreements just weeks before the governor signed a law stripping Disney of its self-appointed board. In April, the new Central Florida Tourism board voted to nullify Disney agreements which prompted Disney to file a lawsuit.
The company alleged that the governor-appointed board is engaging in a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” that would threaten “Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
“Second of all, I did not give subsidies. Reedy Creek has been there for decades. You know that. That was there since the 1960’s where they had their own government had these massive subsidies. Yes, we unwound that and we ended their self-governing status, but it wasn’t anything that I gave to them,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said he finds it interesting that “all these other Republicans have basically sided with Disney on this.”
“We’re going to win that lawsuit. Of course, we’re going to defend, but they’re siding with Disney,” DeSantis said.
Some Republicans think that when woke, mega corporations like Disney donate to your campaign, that means you have to stay silent and roll over for them.
— Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) June 8, 2023
Ron DeSantis does the opposite. He does what's right. pic.twitter.com/o0rRvTe93B
