Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signals Meeting with Disney CEO Bob Chapek is ‘Unlikely’ Following Escalating Exchanges Over Controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Spencer Lloyd

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signals Meeting with Disney CEO Bob Chapek is ‘Unlikely’ Following Escalating Exchanges Over Controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

The saga surrounding the controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, commonly referred to as “Don’t Say Gay”, continues to stretch on and escalate as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared to signal that his previously promised meeting with The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek is looking to be more and more unlikely.

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In a series of text messages to Bloomberg reporters, Spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said that the meeting is increasingly unlikely as Disney continues to escalate their vocal response to the bill. Chapek promised early this month when the company finally came out against the bill that he would meet with Gov. DeSantis along with LGBTQ+ leaders in Disney to discuss concerns over how the bill would target those marginalized youth.

Earlier today, DeSantis issued a statement as Disney has continued to escalate their criticism of the controversial bill and vowed to aid in its repeal. The Governor said “This state is governed by the interests of the people of the state of Florida. It is not based on the demands of California corporate executives. They do not run this state. They do not control this state.”

The Walt Disney Company came under fire after it was discovered they donated to all sponsors of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Disney released a lackluster statement and Chapek later emailed all Disney employees regarding the bill, but did not denounce it. Employees and Cast Members spoke out, and members of Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution released a statement.

Following the denunciation, the relationship between the Florida Governor and CEO Bob Chapek has grown to adversarial jabs between the two through statements. DeSantis first issued a mild and brief statement regarding Chapek’s comments at the shareholder meeting before he slammed Disney for being “too woke” a few days after the initial statement. All of these come as Disney is attempting to cash in on over $500 million in tax breaks for moving most of its corporate Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products employees from California to Lake Nona in the Orlando area, a situation exacerbated by the brain drain of Imagineers refusing to move and those who see it as destroying the storied brand and “rewarding” Florida for the controversial bill.

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5 thoughts on “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signals Meeting with Disney CEO Bob Chapek is ‘Unlikely’ Following Escalating Exchanges Over Controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill”

  1. Disney is important to the state of Florida BUT it has no business at all, NONE, with interfering with state politics as a whole and the education of Florida’s children. NONE, ZIP, NADA.

    Mind your own businesses Disney. Really, mind your own businesses.

  2. DeSantis: “This state is governed by the interests of the people of the state of Florida. It is not based on the demands of California corporate executives. They do not run this state. They do not control this state.” Spot on.

  3. I used to get WDWNT in my email inbox and now its not there anymore. How can I get it in my email again?

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