Bob Iger says Ron DeSantis is retaliating against Disney and that a company has a right to freedom of speech

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Bob Iger

Posted: Monday April 3, 2023 1:51pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

At today's Walt Disney Company shareholders meeting question and answer session, Disney CEO Bob Iger was asked about the situation regarding the ongoing battle with the state of Florida, particularly Governor Ron DeSantis.

Bob Iger at Walt Disney World

In his response, Bob described the company's significant contribution to the state of Florida, and he was clear that he views the position of Ron DeSantis as "retaliating against Disney" for its opposition to the Parental Right Bill. And he added that the Governor's response "seems really wrong to me."

In regards to the handling of the issue by then-CEO Bob Chapek, Iger commented that, "A company has a right to freedom of speech."

He continued by discussing the contribution that Disney makes to the state of Florida, by directly employing 75,000, being the largest tax payer in Florida, attracting 50 million visitors each year, and bringing 8 million of them from outside the US.

Today's comments by Iger are the first public statement that he has made regarding the continuing escalation of Disney vs. Florida, which shows no signs of slowing.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis orders an investigation into Reedy Creek Improvement District as the state appears to have been outmaneuvered by Disney

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castlecake2.03 days ago

Yes

Stripes3 days ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt3 days ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.

Unbanshee3 days ago

Both are effectively picked by the Governor, just not technically. Look no further than the communications "strategy" with the replacement of Gilzean of the Governor's office getting out ahead of every single step of the process

lazyboy97o4 days ago

The settlement acknowledged the “need” to change the comprehensive plan, which undermines this idea. So too does the lack of an agreement, as the 2032 Comprehensive Plan wasn’t that different than the again in force 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Brian4 days ago

That's understandable for sure. I just felt inclined to make the distinction due to the ongoing conversation, as the district administrator is selected by the board, while the board is selected by the governor.

mkt4 days ago

The new agreement will be functionally the same as the one Disney was sued over.

pdude814 days ago

You're right. This has been going on so long I just lumped all the antagonists together.

Brian4 days ago

Not to nitpick, but Gilzean was district administrator, not a board member.

pdude814 days ago

A bigger risk than keeping Garcia and Gilzean on the board as active disruptors? I don't agree with their decision to stall the federal lawsuit, but I understand why they saw the status quo as a risk to growth over the next few years.

lazyboy97o4 days ago

You don’t think dropping your bargaining power in the middle is the best strategy in a negotiation?

flynnibus4 days ago

Again… we know nothing except both sides have shown signs of positive attitude and certainty of successful outcomes. What does that mean? None if us know. All we can speculate is… they know a lot more than they have said publicly… and obvious things like "desantis is not perpetual…" were clearly obvious to them when they made these choices.

UNCgolf4 days ago

That seems wildly optimistic.

flynnibus4 days ago

“Right now…” Yes, we all know this. But again, we don’t know what back room deal they have setup. Who knows… it could even include new legislation promises… Or Disney is just rolling with the hand they are dealt… maybe they have accepted that the time to sunset their advantages of rcid is here… none of us can tell what their true intentions are right now.