Disney sues Florida governor Ron DeSantis
Disney has filed a lawsuit accusing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of “government retaliation”, further escalating the conflict between the company and the Republican politician. The legal action comes after state officials voided a development deal involving Disney’s Florida theme park, which the company claims threatened its business and violated its constitutional rights.
Entertainment giant Disney and Republican Ron DeSantis have been fighting since Disney criticised a state law banning discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools.
The company said it regrets having to file the lawsuit, but after exhausting efforts to seek a resolution, it had no choice but to take legal action to protect its cast members, guests and local development partners from a “relentless campaign to weaponise government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain state officials”.
Governor DeSantis, who is currently on a round-the-world tour, has previously characterised the state’s moves as efforts to remove special privileges for a company that are no longer in the public interest.