Majority of Americans support DeSantis’ Disney battle: poll

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (FLV) – Most Americans support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ war against Disney’s self-governance, a new poll found.

56% said they support DeSantis’ appointing of an oversight board for Disney World and “threatening to remove its special tax status” in response to the company’s 2022 opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act.

44% said they oppose it.

The law in question bars sexual orientation and gender identity teaching in grades K-3. The poll did not refer to it as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

The Harvard-Harris poll was conducted from April 18-19 among 1,845 nationwide registered voters.

DeSantis’ appointed board held a meeting earlier this week on Disney World’s last-minute dealings that the governor said would be rendered void by the Legislature.

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board Chairman Martin Garcia outlined a list of 14 changes the board is looking into, but he noted there will be more.

Garcia outlined changes, which include developing affordable housing, creating voting rights for future residents of the district, implementing traffic solutions for the surrounding counties, reducing the district’s carbon footprint, and ensuring Disney pays sufficient taxes on its property.

Harvard-Harris’ poll also found that voters are largely split on whether they think DeSantis could defeat former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary. 58% said he “is ready to give Trump a real challenge.”

DeSantis has not announced his 2024 candidacy, but said he would make a decision after the Legislature wraps up its session in May. He has been traveling the country to promote the “Florida Blueprint” for nearly two months.

According to the poll, DeSantis had the highest net favorability rating at +8, followed by Elon Musk. Trump ran largely in the middle of the pack of popular American political figures at -3.

Trump had the highest favorability rating overall at 46%, and DeSantis at 45%.