Much has been said and done about the Disney vs. DeSantis feud.
The battle between the mega-corp, the Walt Disney Company, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made headlines for months, with both sides taking swings at each other, trying to come out on top. Each time we thought one side had gotten the decisive victory, the other would return and hit harder; no one pulled any punches.
Related: Trouble in the Magic Kingdom: No Need to Worry About DeSantis, Disney Its Own Worst Enemy
Florida Faces Consequences After DeSantis Picks Fight with Disney
The Walt Disney Company and its Central Florida Disney Resort is one of the biggest employers in the Sunshine State, primarily through the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition, many reports have been published demonstrating in no uncertain terms the economic impact Disney has on the state of Florida. It’s no surprise, then, that when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continued with his war against Disney, the Mouse House responded by Disney CEO Bob Iger labeling the Florida Governor “anti-Florida” and “anti-business.”
Disney canceled its Lake Nona campus, a move that has many economic experts worried due to the toll it can have on the Florida economy if Disney continues to withdraw opportunities for economic growth in the state.
Florida’s Loss is California’s Gain
Meanwhile, the state of California has made it clear they want to support the growth that Disney can bring to their state, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has made appearances with Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney CEO Bob Iger, hinting at further collaborations between the Golden State and the House of Mouse.
Disney has made it very clear that if Florida doesn’t support their business ventures, they’ll take them to a state that will.
Related: DeSantis Makes a Bold Claim About Disney Employees
Governor DeSantis Coming Out the Clear Loser
But while all this is happening, the Disney feud is sitting heavy on Governor DeSantis since he’s using it as one of his primary issues for his presidential campaign. Conservatives aren’t happy with how he has handled the fight, with some even going so far as to say Governor DeSantis is “not a conservative.”
Disney analyst Peter Kunze, assistant professor of communications at Tulane University, adds, “The reality for DeSantis is his time is limited, and my impression is that it’s not paying off for him the way he thinks it is,” he said. “It undercuts the traditional Republican platform of being job creators, normally they get out of the way of business.”
Kunze concludes, “It’s kind of strange to see this quintessentially mainstream American institution being attacked by these organizations that position themselves as family values. It’s become a bit of a standoff between two powerful egos and without a clear victory for either in part because of this entanglement of business and politics.”
