Disney Hands Over Cash to Reelect DeSantis Foe

The Walt Disney Company is taking a dramatic step in its battle against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and is now funding his political enemies.

Disney, DeSantis, Donations

It is no secret that Disney holds a lot of sway in politics, given that the century-old company is one of the richest and most powerful media organizations in the world. Although Disney CEO Bob Iger would likely prefer that people focus on their charitable donations to veterans and education, the company spends millions each year donating to political groups and funding election campaigns across the company.

In fact, until recently, Disney was one of the largest political donors in Florida, where the Walt Disney World Resort is located. Then the company came into conflict with Governor DeSantis, and it cut off all donations in the state, just one of the financial weapons in its massive arsenal.

Related: Disney Attempts to Strip DeSantis of Governing District

But Florida is just one state, and the company is continuing to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars around America (largely through super PACs) and is actively funding the elections of progressive politicians standing against the far-right governor.

The Roots of the Feud

Disney and DeSantis have been battling it out in the public arena for months now, and the feud has grown from name-calling over political stances to ongoing legal cases in both federal and state court.

It all began when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek publically came out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, often referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. After months of pressure from Disney employees and pro-LGBTQIA+ groups, Chapek released a Disney statement of opposition to the act, which Ron DeSantis has since signed into law.

The backlash from the conservative governor was immediate. DeSantis accused the company of “radical leftist” propaganda and claimed Disney was sexualizing minors, a charge that the company vehemently denied.

More critically, the presidential candidate dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special tax area where Walt Disney World is located. It was replaced by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, whose board of directors was appointed by DeSantis himself and quickly began mired in ethics controversies and accusations of financial mishandling.

Disney vs DeSantis

In federal court, Disney is currently suing Gov DeSantis for allegedly violating the company’s First Amendment rights and using his political authority to punish it for disagreeing with his policies. In state court, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board of directors is trying to get a judge to throw out a series of last-minute contracts that allow Disney to retain much of its old Reedy Creek power.

Related: DeSantis Disney Board Fires Key Employees Before Thanksgiving

Clearly, there is a lot going on between Disney and DeSantis, but the House of Mouse has been quietly raising the ante by funding the reelection campaign of California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of DeSantis’ most vocal critics (per The Tampa Bay Times). DeSantis and Newsom are set to debate publically on Thursday on Fox News, and it is certain that Disney, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World are sure to be hot topics.

The funds Disney donated to Newsom are part of a political action committee that the California governor uses (in part) to finance attacks and ads against DeSantis and other Republican politicians. In other words, Disney has more ways than just the courts to strike against DeSantis.

Do you think Disney should be funding political activities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

This post is originally appeared on Inside the Magic.