The Walt Disney Company has always played a special role in American culture—equal parts escapism, fantasy, and corporate clout. It’s where generations of families gather to celebrate milestone vacations, and where entertainment giants like Bob Iger make multimillion-dollar decisions that ripple far beyond the gates of Magic Kingdom.
But in the current media and political climate, even the Mouse House isn’t immune to controversy. And lately, it’s found itself once again in the crosshairs of former President Donald Trump.
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For years, Trump has directed public criticism at Disney and its news subsidiary, ABC News. He’s accused the network of biased reporting, personally feuded with on-air talent, and even taken the company to court. In fact, earlier this year, Disney and ABC paid out a $16 million settlement to Trump over a defamation suit tied to statements made by This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos.
But just as quickly as he’s condemned Disney, Trump has occasionally shifted gears, offering surprise moments of approval—usually when his name is attached to something behind the scenes. That’s exactly what happened recently during a press conversation in which Trump praised Disney CEO Bob Iger and a new international theme park project in Abu Dhabi.
According to Trump, Iger had reached out to personally share plans for the resort, and Trump went so far as to call the project “incredible.”
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For a man who just months earlier had accused Iger of running “one of the most dishonest news organizations in the country,” the moment of praise was unexpected. But the calm didn’t last.
Within days, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to reignite his feud—this time over a story that aired on ABC News. The network reported that Trump may be accepting a luxurious Boeing 747 aircraft from Qatar, a story that quickly made headlines.
According to the reports, the plane—which had been valued at $400 million—was supposedly being donated to Trump for use as a future version of Air Force One.
That was all it took for Trump to go on the offensive, using his social media platform to accuse ABC of dishonesty and bias. His post was long, emphatic, and in keeping with the aggressive tone he’s adopted throughout his recent battles with the media.
Here is what Mr. Trump had to say:
Why doesnʼt Chairman Bob Iger do something about ABC Fake News, especially since I just won $16,000,000 based on the Fake and Defamatory reporting of Liddleʼ George Slopadopolus. He was given warnings, but just couldnʼt be restrained by “management.” Now I see they are at it again, and I again give these SleazeBags fair warning! The wonderful country of Qatar, after agreeing to invest more than 1.4 Trillion Dollars in the United States of America, deserves much better than Misleading (Fake!) News. Everyone, including their lawyers, has been told that ABC must not say that Qatar is giving ME a FREE Boeing 747 Airplane, because they are not. Instead, and as Fake News ABC fully knows and understands, this highly respected country is donating the plane to the United States Air Force/ Defense Department, AND NOT TO ME. By so doing, they are saving our country, and the American Taxpayer, hundreds of millions of dollars. ABC Fake News is one of the WORST
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The huge settlement also reportedly led to internal tension within ABC News. Most recently, Disney executives—reportedly including CEO Bob Iger and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic—met with producers and stars of The View to discuss the network’s future editorial direction.
According to multiple sources, the message was clear: rein in the political commentary, especially when it comes to Trump. The co-hosts of The View allegedly pushed back, saying they wouldn’t change the show’s tone or content.
Now, with the Qatar story unfolding in real time, Disney and ABC find themselves once again under scrutiny. Trump’s post accuses the network of misrepresenting an international gesture of goodwill, claiming the aircraft is being donated to the U.S. government, not to him personally.
Neither ABC nor Disney has issued an official response to the new threat of legal action, though the story remains active and unresolved. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense has confirmed that the Boeing 747 in question is indeed intended for Air Force use, and negotiations are ongoing.
It’s unclear whether Trump will follow through on another lawsuit, or if his post was simply another round in his ongoing war with the media. But one thing is certain: the tension between Disney and Donald Trump hasn’t gone anywhere—and if recent history is any indication, this saga is far from over.
Do you think Trump’s latest claims are justified, or is this another example of political theater? Should Disney and ABC stand firm in their reporting—or does the threat of legal backlash warrant a new approach? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS! LOCK UP TRUMP!
VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS!
LOCK UP TRUMP!
President Trump not former president wish you idiots who write here would leave political stuff out of Disney Fanatics use other political forums this site should only be about happy stuff about Disney not about some idiots political beliefs
Robert Ziegler
You are the idiot and you’re doing exactly what you’re telling Disney Fanatics not to do. Practice what you preach.
Unfortunately, our current president has a penchant for pettiness. Out for revenge against people who were trying to do their jobs. Bullying does not look good on a United States American President. I don’t know if he knows what he’s doing or if he really wants to tank America. According to most every economist, scientist, CEO, or expert in their field is shouting in the wind about this. No one is listening or is trying to get him to listen. I’m worried, I’m worried everyday.
To all you loser liberals posting your garbage on here, sorry to inform you but you got your rear end kicked in the election. Not feeling the “joy” loser dems?? You voted for a zombie named biden and you believed the press when they said bidum was sane! And you are lecturing us on the right? Get a life little dem children. Trump is your Daddy!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Karen, get over it. Your party and the hate it spewed brought about an attempt on his life. You celebrated it. Dems are sick and the party is imploding. That brings me “joy” as cumula would say.
To karen, momurok and never,
It’s obvious you took advantage of your democrat party mandated lobotomy. That actually puts you on the top of the list of IQ’s in your party! Feeling the “joy” yet that cumula promised?? The dem party is disintegrating!🤣🤣🤣