‘Preposterous And Inaccurate’ Iger Addresses DeSantis’ Claims About Disney Sexualizing Children

In a wide-ranging interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the company’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the accusations DeSantis has made on the campaign trail that Disney is trying to sexualize and groom children.

Related: Every Fight DeSantis Picks With Disney Hands His Biggest Rival a Victory

Iger called that accusation “preposterous and inaccurate” and claimed he did not want the Walt Disney Company “drawn into a culture war.” Iger also addressed the stories about attendance issues at Walt Disney World over the Fourth of July weekend, saying that he sees no signs of the Parks slowing down and that articles suggesting that are simply “inaccurate.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been using Disney as a punching bag as he tours the country seeking the Republican nomination for the President. The feud between Disney and Governor DeSantis started when Disney responded to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Iger said he wasn’t sure the company “handled that well,” taking a not-so-veiled shot at his predecessor, former CEO Bob Chapek.

Iger did suggest that it wasn’t just Disney World that was seeing a decrease in attendance, but their competitors in Central Florida and hotels throughout the entire state. He said that the state had seen a six to seven percent decline in hotel tax revenue over the last quarter, suggesting that DeSantis’ policies and the travel warning issued by several different Civil Rights organizations are starting to take their toll on the tourism industry in Florida.

Iger told CNBC:

I don’t want the company drawn into a culture war. Our goal is to tell wonderful stories. We’ve been doing this for 100 years. We’re going to keep doing what we do best. We’re sensitive to the needs of our great audience.

Iger also addressed the Neo-Nazi group that showed up outside Disney World waving swastikas and “DeSantis 2024” banners, calling the event “horrifying.” For his part, Governor DeSantis has said that the group outside of Disney World was just posing to be his supporters. He has yet to denounce their activities. 

There is ongoing litigation between the Governor, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and the Disney Company. Disney will have a hearing tomorrow to have the court throw out the CFTOD’s lawsuit against them. Iger told CNBC that Disney’s goal was to:

Protect our rights as a company. We are concerned that he retaliated against the Company for exercising our First Amendment rights. We want to protect our Constitutional rights and our business. 

When asked if the feud with Gov DeSantis is hurting Disney’s business, Iger immediately said “no” and did not elaborate. Throughout the interview, Iger also addressed Disney’s future in streaming, television, and movies.

Gov Ron DeSantis has claimed that Walt Disney World has decreased attendance because Disney attempted to sexual children. The feud between the two began when Disney responded to the pending legislation. The Florida Governor retaliated by stripping Disney of its self-governing powers.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has denied that was Disney’s intention, and the company’s case against Florida Gov Ron DeSantis is currently pending in Federal Court.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.