DeSantis wins as judge dismisses Disney’s lawsuit against him
A United States judge has ruled in favor of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his dispute with Disney, dismissing a lawsuit alleging that the Republican governor orchestrated a campaign of “government retaliation.”
Judge Allen Winsor stated that the actions contested by Disney were lawful, and the company lacked the standing to file a lawsuit against the governor.
Last year, Florida implemented stricter oversight of Disney’s theme park operations, following the company’s criticism of a state law restricting the discussion of sexuality in schools.
Judge Winsor’s ruling noted that the alterations adversely affected Disney, which had wielded significant influence over the special tax district encompassing its Walt Disney World park since 1967. The changes empowered Governor DeSantis to appoint members to the district’s governing board, stripping landowners within the 25,000-acre district, predominantly Disney, of that authority.
Nevertheless, the judge asserted that state lawmakers possessed the authority to enact the changes, and Disney failed to demonstrate any immediate harm resulting from the governor’s actions.
In dismissing the lawsuit, the judge emphasized that courts could not declare a law unconstitutional solely on the basis of potential “illegitimate motivation” by legislators in enacting it.
“Because that is what Disney seeks here, its claim fails as a matter of law,” he wrote.
Disney said it would press forward with its case, which had argued that the moves threatened its business and violated its free speech rights.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” the company said.
“If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with.”
A spokesman for the governor’s office released a statement praising the verdict against the “Corporate Kingdom”.
“The days of Disney controlling its government and being placed above the law are long gone,” said Jeremy Redfern. a spokesperson for the governor.
The dispute between Disney and Mr DeSantis began as the Republican was preparing to launch his campaign for president.
Mr DeSantis dropped out of the race this month, after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses.
The two sides started feuding after Disney, under pressure from its staff, criticized the Parental Rights in Education Act – dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics – which banned discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for young students.
The state later expanded the ban to all grades.
Mr DeSantis’s decision to challenge the company, which is the state’s largest employer, helped to elevate his national profile, cementing him as a culture warrior.
But it did not come without costs.
It made traditional, business-friendly Republicans leery and it opened him to ridicule from former President Donald Trump, who at one point wrote on social media that it was all “so unnecessary, a political STUNT”.
In an August interview with business broadcaster CNBC, Mr DeSantis surged Disney to drop its suit, saying he had “moved on” from the fight, though it has continued to simmer.
In December, the DeSantis-appointed board issued a report that accused Disney of providing benefits “akin to bribes” to earlier board members and employees of the district.
It has also sued the company over a last-minute deal that Disney pushed through before the new board took over, which limited its powers. That lawsuit is still pending.
The clash has also weighed on Disney, which has been facing a wider backlash from the right.
