On Wednesday, Florida top gov’s specially appointed board overseeing services at Disney voted to nullify two agreements that gave Disney vast control over expansion at the resort complex in Florida.
Minutes later, Disney filed a lawsuit against Gov Ron DeSantis, the five-member board, and other state officials in federal court, claiming “a targeted campaign of government retaliation.”
Disney’s lawsuit accused DeSantis of a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint.” The campaign, the complaint added, “now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights.”
Since struggling to take control from Disney, DeSantis has threatened numerous punitive actions to retaliate against the company’s woke position to speak out against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Disney’s chief executive officer Robert Iger has characterized DeSantis as “anti-business” and “anti-Florida” for his actions.
Disney paid and collected a total of $1.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2022, according to company disclosures.