DeSantis’ Appointees Seek Judgement Against Disney, Bypassing Trial

In a recent court filing, Governor Ron DeSantis’ appointees have urged a Florida judge to rule in their favor without trial against Disney. This comes as Disney fights against the governor’s takeover of a board responsible for overseeing Walt Disney World. Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have requested a summary judgment on five out of the nine counts in their case, seeking to put an end to the ongoing legal battle.

The conflict between Disney and DeSantis stems from the company’s public opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation championed by the governor and Republican lawmakers. As a form of retaliation, DeSantis seized control of the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers, appointing a new board of supervisors to oversee the operations of Disney World. However, the board’s authority was constrained by previous agreements made by the company with its predecessors.

The state court case, separate from the federal lawsuit in Tallahassee, focuses on the accusation made by DeSantis’ appointees that Disney wrongfully stripped them of their powers over design and construction at Disney World. Alleging a lack of proper notice, lack of authority, and unlawful delegation of government authority to a private entity, the appointees argue that Disney’s actions were unjust.

Despite Disney’s request to dismiss the lawsuit being rejected by the judge in the state case, both sides continue to fiercely contest the matter. Governor DeSantis has utilized the feud with Disney as a point of pride in his bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, often criticizing the company for being too “woke.” Conversely, Disney has accused the governor of infringing on its First Amendment rights.

In an attempt to defuse the ongoing conflict, DeSantis publicly called on Disney to drop the lawsuit during an interview with CNBC. He expressed his belief that the company would ultimately fail in its legal battle against the state of Florida. However, Disney has not indicated any intention of abandoning its pursuit of justice.

With the battle lines drawn, the fate of the board responsible for overseeing Disney World remains uncertain. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the outcome of this clash between corporate power and governmental authority will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for both parties involved.