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There are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason. And if we’ve learned nothing else in the feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company, Disney is always one step ahead of the governor, and Disney is much better at crafting a narrative.
Related: Governor DeSantis Responds to Canceled Lake Nona Project
Earlier this morning, CBS News reported that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was planning on making it official and announcing that he was running for President next week. Governor DeSantis will meet with some of his most generous donors next week in Miami. According to the report, DeSantis plans on filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. A formal announcement will come on June 1 in DeSantis’ hometown of Dunedin, Florida.
On most days, that wouldn’t necessarily be big news. Politician seeks higher office; it’s kind of what they do. But then, Disney took over the narrative and changed it completely.
On the day when rumors started spreading that Governor DeSantis had planned on entering the 2024 Presidential race, Disney pulled the plug on its Lake Nona project, which was expected to cost $1 billion and bring 2,000 jobs to Florida. Disney also announced yesterday that it would be spending $1 billion and adding 4,000 jobs to Disneyland in California.
Credit: Disney
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, delivered the news to Disney employees via memo this afternoon. Two sentences, in particular, should worry DeSantis and his future aspirations. D’Amaro wrote:
We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.
This is a direct challenge to DeSantis, telling him all this could disappear. D’Amaro also cited changing “business conditions” in Florida for the change. Without actually saying so, D’Amaro was referencing the ongoing legal battle between the Walt Disney Company and CEO Bob Iger against the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis.
Here is the full memo from D'Amaro to Cast Members: pic.twitter.com/C2U33MhNLV
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 18, 2023
It would look awful if a presidential candidate cost his state thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings reacted to Disney’s cancelation and the loss of jobs in his county by saying:
It is unfortunate that Disney will not be moving forward with construction of the Lake Nona campus. However, these are the consequences when there isn’t an inclusive and collaborative work environment between the state of Florida and the business community. We will continue to work closely with our valued partners at Disney.
Gov DeSantis enters the race at a decided disadvantage against former-president Donald Trump. Most polls have Trump with a decided advantage over the rest of the Republican field, and with most other presidential candidates afraid to go after the former President, the Florida governor has become their punching bag.
For now, Disney has shown Ron DeSantis that it can take him out with the metaphorical $17 billion anvil hanging over his head. It’s Ron’s move now. Remember, timing is everything.
We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.
