Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s relentless clash against the Walt Disney Company’s progressive social agenda has undoubtedly captured much attention this year. His audacious takeover of Walt Disney World has sent shockwaves through the sunshine state. DeSantis has boldly replaced Disney’s longstanding Reedy Creek Improvement District with his handpicked board, triggering a wave of controversy and widespread disagreement. Yet, as if the drama couldn’t escalate any further, it has now emerged that one of these appointed members will likely have to comment on an astonishing controversy involving a group she co-founded quoting Adolf Hitler.
DeSantis Appoints Bridget Ziegler to Disney Oversight Board
Bridget Ziegler, a notable figure in Florida politics, has been a source of discussion due to her affiliation with the controversial group, Moms for Liberty. Known for their staunch conservative beliefs, certain critics have recently labeled the group as extremist. However, Ziegler’s association with Moms for Liberty has garnered even more scrutiny after her surprising appointment to Ron DeSantis’s new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to police Walt Disney World. This questionable move has ignited a wave of discussions surrounding the implications of Ziegler’s presence on the board.
Ziegler has stepped down from her position on the board of Moms for Liberty, but she has still been an outspoken supporter of the group and their cause. She has recently come to their defense multiple times over the Southern Poverty Law Center’s labeling of Moms for Liberty as an extremist group. Now it looks like she might have to defend them again over a Hitler quote appearing in one of their newsletters.
The local chapter of Moms for Liberty quoted Hitler in their first newsletter yesterday.
I am absolutely outraged, and know that the vast majority of community members feel the same. There is NO PLACE for hate in our home. Our community and kids deserve better. pic.twitter.com/rtMImLcyrL
— Senator J.D. Ford (@SenatorJDFord) June 22, 2023
Moms for Liberty Hitler Blunder
The Hamilton County chapter of Moms for Liberty knew who they were quoting – they even listed the hated dictator’s name. After the newsletter was widely criticized, the group was forced to add context below it, trying to explain the reasoning behind its inclusion:
The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert. If the government has control over our children today, they control our country’s future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government.
Some argue that the group should have had this context upfront or, you know, just not have included a quote from Hitler at all. Moms for Liberty claims to protect parental rights and promote limited government involvement in education. With a focus on empowering parents, the group advocates for policies that align with their values, such as school choice and academic freedom. While receiving support from some individuals who share their beliefs, Moms for Liberty has also faced criticism from those who perceive them as an extremist organization. This misstep is fuel for these critics.
This isn’t even the only shocking public display involving the topic of Nazis in the past month. White supremacists waving Nazi flags recently descended on Walt Disney World, unapologetically shouting their support for the regime as they heckled Guests entering the property. This group also showcased support for Ron DeSantis and his policies, an event that the governor has yet to comment on, though he has tried to separate himself from them in the past.
