Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) dismissed a lawsuit brought against him by Disney, arguing that it lacks merit and is politically motivated.
“I don’t think the suit has merit, I think it’s political,” DeSantis told reporters at a press conference in Israel.
Disney filed the lawsuit against DeSantis on Wednesday shortly after a local governing board, appointed by DeSantis to take control over Disney’s Orlando-area parks, passed a resolution to undo a deal that allowed the Walt Disney World theme park and resort to keep control over much of its business operations in Florida.
“Disney regrets that it has come to this,” the company said in the lawsuit. “But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”
“This government action was patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional. But the Governor and his allies have made clear that they do not care and will not stop,” the complaint says.
The public feud between Disney and DeSantis began last year when the company’s then CEO Bob Chapek criticized state officials after they passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that limits classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity.
