Disney Problems Follow Ron DeSantis Overseas

Ron DeSantis may have left his Florida problems, but the Florida problems did not leave Ron DeSantis. For more than a year, the Sunshine State Governor has been battling Disney. Ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, and it was all downhill from there. Things have gotten so bad that Walt Disney World Resort has actually filed a lawsuit against DeSantis, claiming that he is using his political power to punish the House of Mouse for exercising its First Amendment Right.

Many expect DeSantis to announce his candidacy for president sometime in the near future. So, in an effort to bolster his foreign policy experience, DeSantis has embarked on a multi-country tour. DeSantis is currently traveling to Israel, South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom as part of an International Trade Mission.

However, DeSantis is unable to escape the cloud that his fight with Disney is causing. According to multiple outlets, the Governor was asked multiple times about his fight with Mickey Mouse, and he didn’t appear to appreciate it.

Per PBS:

Facing questions this week about his standing within the GOP and his fight with Disney, he’s sometimes appeared agitated, reinforcing concerns within corners of his own party about his readiness for the rigor of presidential politics.

“My goal would be for this spat to end. They’ve been our longtime partner,” said Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, the immediate past chair of the state GOP and a Trump supporter. “We should be focused in a positive way on helping our job creators.”

Speaking in Israel, DeSantis expressed confidence in his actions and is showing no sign of letting the Disney issue go.

“I don’t think the suit has merit, I think it’s political,” said DeSantis, whose political team has used the Disney fight to raise money. “The days of putting one company on a pedestal with no accountability are over in the state of Florida.”

Many experts agree that DeSantis’ fight with Disney is political, but not on Disney’s end. Constitutional law experts mostly agree that Disney is on very firm footing with its lawsuit. Especially since the governor has, at times, bragged about punishing Disney for disagreeing with him. The Governor has also said that new laws created in Florida would only impact Disney, and not other theme parks like the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has stood by the company’s stance on the Parental Rights bill. Iger has said that Disney will always stand for what is right and will stand behind its thousands of LGBTQ+ Cast Members. In interviews, Iger has said that he would be more than willing to meet with DeSantis and try to work things out. DeSantis has not indicated that he is willing to meet with Disney and try to come to an amicable resolution.