Florida Governor Signs Bill Removing Disney’s Special Status

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday that repeals a long-standing law allowing Disney to act as a local government in Orlando, where its theme park is located.

The move came after DeSantis’ Republican administration challenged a legislation passed in March barring school lessons on sexual orientation.

Disney had no immediate response to the decision, which is part of a national cultural war led by Republican leaders.

Initially, Disney was mute. However, significant criticism of the firm, which employs over 75,000 people in Florida, spurred Disney CEO Bob Chapek to criticise it and ban payments to state legislators.

Those remarks enraged DeSantis, prompting his quick approval of Disney’s revocation of special status in June 2023.

A firm based in Burbank, California, is attacking the parents of my state, DeSantis stated.

“We view that as a provocation, and we’re going to fight back against that,” he said.