Disney Sues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Disney just filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The feud between the two is long-standing, as DeSantis has been intent on undermining the company’s Florida resort. For example, Disney has been able to self-govern its Floridian land, effectively making it its own country, but DeSantis and Floridian legislators terminated that power in February.

Disney believes that DeSantis is retaliating against the company after they spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education law (dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics). They said in their lawsuit that “Disney regrets that it has come to this,” and added, “In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.”

DeSantis, however, had a different opinion. A his spokesperson said that this case was “yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.” He himself also attacked Disney, saying that they just didn’t “want to pay the same taxes as everybody else.” DeSantis doesn’t believe the case has merit, yet has admitted that he indeed retaliated against Disney to punish it for its speech.

While I don’t particularly like either side of this case, I do believe that Disney is right in filing a case against DeSantis. As they said, DeSantis made a “classic First Amendment violation.” While I don’t know where this case will go, I know this will provide trouble to DeSantis, who is sure to launch his 2024 campaign soon.

Legal trouble on his hands will make it much harder for him. But Disney isn’t doing too hot either; the lawsuit came in minutes after a board appointed by DeSantis limited Disney’s control over expansion at their resort. The bottom line is, neither party is benefiting from their feud, yet it seems like it won’t be over anytime soon.

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LUKE FANN

Editor at The City Voice

Hello, my name is Luke Fann. I love to read and write myself into a fantastical realm, but I love all genres. Of course, such a task requires assistance from my parents and older brother. I've feasted on alligators and tamed beasts like alpacas (my favorite animal), but none of that compares to my greatest weapon: a pencil. I am an editor here for the City Voice, and this is my second year writing for it.