Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' war with Disney has spread from Florida to California.
Earlier this year the flames started when DeSantis signed into law Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act aka ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill.’ The law prohibits educators from being able to talk about sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms up to fourth grade.
Walt Disney's (DIS) then CEO Bob Chapek publicly opposed the law and voiced his displeasure at the law on behalf of his employees.
Disney has openly supported the LGBTQ+ community with the company hosting numerous Pride events in the past. One such event has grown to bring in nearly 200,000 people after it started nearly 30 years ago. The unofficial group wears red during ‘Gay Days Orlando’ according to USA Today.
The company has continued to host Pride and LGBTQ+ friendly events at both Disney World and Disneyland. The company's California theme park recently hosted Pride Nites on June 13 and 15. The event welcomed all from the community and even included Disney's classic characters being dressed in Pride Nite attire. Walt Disney World is also set to host the largest LGBTQIA+ conference later this year (something it has done in the past). The conference is for the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, which has the title of the “largest LGBTQIA+ conference in the world.”
But, while Florida has been the key sight for the company's battle with DeSantis, California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to get in on the action and further his own war with the Florida governor.
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Disney’s Political Statement Fuels Governors' Fued
DeSantis' war with Disney has put him at odds with his state's largest single-site employer and the driver of billions of dollars in tourism revenue to Florida. That has led to some questions from people in his own party.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and 2024 Republican Presidential hopeful also commented about the Disney-DeSantis feud, “I don’t think Ron DeSantis is a conservative, based on his actions towards Disney,” according to Politico.
Criticisms aren’t just coming at DeSantis from his own political party, but from across the line as well. Newsom, a Democrat, took to Twitter to poke at DeSantis.
"Turns out, bigoted policies have consequences. That's 2,000+ jobs that will be welcomed back with open arms to the Golden State. Thank you for doing the right thing @Disney," he shared.
Newsom was referring to Disney canceling a $1 billion headquarters project that would have consolidated its theme park staff in Florida, near Disney World. CEO Bob Iger has also made it clear that Disney could divert some of the $17 billion it plans to spend in Florida over the next decade to other states.
California's governor clearly wants to position his state to get some of that money.
DeSantis responded by criticizing Newsom
"You know, it’s interesting. He’s got huge problems in his state,” referring to Newsom’s own state of California. There has been a decline in population in California, and DeSantis referred to it as, “A massive exodus out of California,” according to The Hill.
Newsom Welcomes, Supports Pride Events
In continued support of Disney and its feud with DeSantis, Newsom went a step ahead and not only supported Disney’s Pride nights at Disneyland but showed up as well.
He also Tweeted his support.
Disney has held Pride events before, but these are the first ones being called "Pride Nite."
Newsom’s social media account was being flooded with pictures of the Governor at the Pride Nites and was even pictured with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
In one of the social media posts, Newsom wrote, "Our inclusivity & acceptance attract talent & ideas that drive our economic growth & make us a hotspot for world-leading companies like @disney to grow & prosper. All are welcome here."
Newsom is clearly positioning himself as a political rival to DeSantis while also cozying up to Disney which could choose to invest more money in Disneyland at the expense of Disney World.
