While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to fight The Walt Disney Company in a heated legal struggle, he has also set his sights on a bigger battle. DeSantis has recently started his campaign to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential race. This puts the governor in a tangled web and fighting on multiple fronts. Disney is currently suing DeSantis over his ongoing retaliation for their criticism of his “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and he will eventually have to go toe to toe with Donald Trump. What a time to be alive!
DeSantis has not kept his contempt for Disney a secret. In fact, he has no desire to back away or concede even an inch to the company in this fight. He also has an entire congregation determined to see him in The White House. DeSantis may not like Disney, but his Super PAC has no issue using their intellectual property if it helps him politically. You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Never Back Down Steps Up
Never Back Down is the Super PAC (Political Action Committee) spearheading the campaign to elect Ron DeSantis as the Republican nominee for president in 2024. For those unfamiliar, this group is an independent organization formed to raise and spend money supporting political causes. They can’t directly coordinate with candidates or political parties, but they can spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against specific candidates or issues. Super PACs have become influential in shaping political campaigns by funding advertisements, conducting research, and mobilizing voters.
Most supporters fervently believe in Governor DeSantis’s fight against Walt Disney World. These Disney critics have taken a stand against the renowned entertainment giant, asserting that the company is morally failing children and pandering to a liberal base. Expressing concerns over the content produced and promoted by Disney, DeSantis has embarked on a campaign to hold the company accountable for what he perceives as a potential negative impact on the younger generation and unfair business practices in the state of Florida. While Disney has long been celebrated for its family-friendly image, DeSantis argues that recent undertakings and messaging indicate a shift that contradicts the values shared by many Americans.
Star Wars Super PAC
However, no one can deny popular Disney franchises’ appeal and ability to connect with audiences. DeSantis may avoid Disney, but Never Back Down recently utilized an iconic Star Wars moment in a political tweet to attack Donald Trump. The group superimposed the faces of the two politicians on Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the scene the Jedi master lets loose on his former prodigy for failing him. Yeah, it’s about as weird as it sounds. It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you fall under. We can all agree that this clip is a little cringe. See for yourself…
https://twitter.com/NvrBackDown24/status/1671869058508021761?s=20
The general opinion of Never Back Down’s followers on Twitter is that this was a ridiculous attempt to meme and a bit of an embarrassing look for the Super PAC. Some even point out that the group can’t be original, as another conservative podcaster recently created a similar meme before they posted this one.
Did you losers @NvrBackDown24 really steal the meme collab I did with @Madam_Merica like a month ago?
Amateur hour at its finest. https://t.co/gRm962V0MB pic.twitter.com/TrjpOIPgMA
— Steak for Breakfast (@SteakforPodcast) June 22, 2023
Whatever the case, Disney property has once again been intertwined in a DeSantis debate. Never Back Down using Star Wars to promote the governor is an additional peg in the growing number of times this Disney fight has returned to haunt him. Many people were also critical when they found out DeSantis got married at Disney, and his wife has admitted that she and their daughter are fans of the company’s movies. This battle is more entertaining than even the most thrilling Disney attraction, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
