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Disney ‘Deep State’ – ‘Iger Hires’ Pressured Chapek to Cave, Push Politics

Bob Chapek

“…he really has two choices: Just castrate himself or stand up to them.”

On March 22, it appeared that the LGBTQ+ and allied contingents of employees and fans have a power grip on The Walt Disney Company, coercing still-new CEO Bob Chapek into backtracking a business-first, neutral stance on political issues and sparking a corporate-wide display of support on social media in an attempt to prevent a supposed “walkout.” 

Disney Statement

Credit: Disney

However, anonymous sources claim that while company execs are more afraid of their employees than their consumer base, the spark of those vocal groups is not the primary reason for Chapek’s backtracking and arguable kowtowing to particular groups of Cast Members. Instead, it was due to members of a powerful establishment leftover from the politically-charged Iger Era.

Speaking with The Daily Wire, a high-level studio executive explained that many Disney staff members saw previous-CEO Bob Iger’s decision to push the company in a poignantly political direction as damaging to the company’s image. They hoped that the appointment of noticeably-more-conservative Bob Chapek would usher in a new level of neutrality, and Chapek’s original response to the outcry showed proof such a future was possible. But, it was not to last.

The Daily Wire shared:

“Chapek faced his own Disney ‘deep state’ of leftover Iger hires intent on undermining that goal. They took to social media and leaked comments to Hollywood trade publications prompting Chapek to reverse course in a move the exec says was motivated by ‘cowardice and stupidity.'”

As the classic non-Disney children’s book said, “If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to want a glass of milk.” Chapek’s first statement was one of in-house focus claiming that politically charged corporate statements do very little but cause division. His decision to backtrack under pressure will no doubt be remembered as a pinnacle point of his tenure as leader of one of the largest and most influential media and entertainment conglomerates in the world.

One month after stepping down from CEO, Iger announced–unbeknownst to Chapek–that he was going to continue his oversight of the company in what was touted as just a long good-bye, saying,

“A crisis of this magnitude, and its impact on Disney, would necessarily result in my actively helping Bob [Chapek] and the company contend with it, particularly since I ran the company for 15 years!”

Bob Iger

Credit: inquirer.com

Iger had 15 years to reshape the house that Walt built into his liking, making it a powerhouse for progressive and globalist ideals, which many say is in severe conflict with the American values upon which it was founded. Creating unprecedented business ties to China, threatening whole-state economies like Georgia and its anti-abortion bill, and even considering a run for President, the septuagenarian arguably achieved an oligarch-level of influence. And before he left, it appears he made sure to instill his momentum through hiring practices.

“Now they’re not going to leave him alone. They will not stop,” the exec said. “So he really has two choices: Just castrate himself or stand up to them.”

Bob Chapek (left); CCP President Xi Jingping (right)

Credit: THR

We recently covered that Conservative Cast Members took their own stand in publishing an open letter that called for true openness and a return to neutral unity, saying:

Disney shouldn’t be a vehicle for one demographic’s political activism. It’s so much bigger and more important than that. More than ever, the world needs things that we can unite around. That’s the most valuable role The Walt Disney Company could play in the world at this time. It’s a role we’ve played for nearly a century, and it would be a shame to throw all of that away in the face of left-wing political pressure. Please don’t let Disney become just another thing we divide over.

The unnamed executive said that when it comes to caring about the concerns of their conservative employees, “The short answer is no.”

Disney Covid Testing

Credit: Disney

Related: Bill Fighting Disney’s ‘Woke’ Cast Member Training Makes Progress

A poll showed 64-68% of parents of parents-the people who pay for big expensive Disney trips-in support of the Florida Legislature‘s “Parental Rights in Education Bill” (AKA the “Don’t Say Gay Bill”) that Disney is now against. Expected to be signed by Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, the legislation bans all education on sex–including sexual orientation–and gender identity for kids in kindergarten through third grade. Similar legislation touted as the “Stop WOKE Bill” is also gaining progress and will essentially consider critical race theory employee training as unlawful workplace discrimination and could affect Disney employee training at Walt Disney World in Central Florida.

At the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, several conservative proposals were brought forward, but they were all struck down. Disney’s C-level Suite is also aware of the growing opinion among life-long Disney fans that as the company becomes more politically poignant, they are less likely to remain Disney consumers. Still, they press on.

It has been two years since Disney CEO Bob Chapek was given the keys to this magic kingdom. According to a report by CNBC, he does have a few friends at the top, including Kareem Daniel–who arguably holds the most powerful position in media history–and Disney CFO Christie McCarthy.  The Disney CEO also stated that the company will be reevaluating its political activity, highlighting how it will distribute its political donations. And perhaps, that will be the Walt Disney Company‘s first step back. But only time will tell if he can take the reigns and stand up to the Disney “Deep State” or if he will continue to let the Ghost of Iger and the pressure of a vocal contingent dictate how he steers the company into its next 100 years.

Bob Chapek

Credit: Disney

About T.K. Bosacki

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, TK Bosacki is a professional writer, amateur adventurer, and lifelong Disney Fanatic. His Disney Park days include Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Nomad Lounge. He believes in starting at the Canada pavilion (IYKYK), and the Monorail is superior to all Ferry Boats.

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