It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his fight with the Walt Disney Company. His popularity has plummeted while Disney’s has remained steady. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has criticized Gov DeSantis for his feud with Disney, questioning DeSantis’ Republican credentials and his toughness.
Related: Having Learned Nothing From Disney Feud, DeSantis Picks Another Unnecessary Fight
While DeSantis has been touring the country raising money for his Presidential Campaign, he has been taking some minor shots at Disney, but now he has taken the gloves off. In a vicious new ad released today in Iowa and South Carolina by Never Back Down, a Super-PAC backing the Florida Governor, DeSantis takes the gloves off and goes right after Disney.
The ad begins like a Disney Princess Fairy Tale. The narrator starts with, “Once Upon a Time, Disney films were for kids.” Behind that scene, a mock cartoon featuring what appears to be a mad scientist is playing. The ad then jumps to a video of one of the Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnb_3o8k4lA&t=6s
The apprentice has a beard and is wearing a dress. This caused an uproar in some circles last month as some accused Disneyland and Disney World of sexualizing the experience. Disney said it was no longer calling the people who worked at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Fairy Godmothers, instead calling them Apprentices to be more inclusive.
As the Fairy Godmother’s Apprentice video plays in the background, the narrator accuses Disney films of showing “secret sexual content.” The footage also attacks Bud Light and Target for “selling extreme liberal agendas.”
Governor DeSantis hopes this ad can help his flailing campaign for the Republican Nomination for President. Real Clear Politics has DeSantis down by 22 percent in Iow to former President Donald Trump and losing by 30 percent nationally.
The fight with the Walt Disney Company has also taken its toll on DeSantis. His popularity nationally has taken a hit as he feuds with his state’s largest employer. This war with Disney has become a part of DeSantis’ “War on Woke,” and he hopes it will resonate with Republican primary voters.
It remains to be seen if his strategy will work. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis and his Central Florida Tourism Oversight District remain embroiled in a legal fight over Disney’s response to the Florida Legislature’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and DeSantis’s retaliation for Disney opposing the state law.
We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.