The legal conflict between Disney and Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has recently taken an amusing turn as the entertainment company is using the governor's own memoir to support their lawsuit against him.
Disney's lawsuit accuses DeSantis of taking action against the company when its then-CEO criticized Florida's Parental Rights in Education plan—or "Don't Say Gay" law—which limits the instruction of gender identity and sexuality in public schools.
DeSantis' administration then dissolved a longstanding agreement that gave Disney jurisdiction over the infrastructure requirements and responsibilities of the area where Disney World is located while leaving over 1,500 other such jurisdictions in place.
Despite concerns over the burden this change could place on local taxpayers, the governor's administration continued to counter any attempt made by Disney to have the agreement reinstated.
Disney's lawyers cited several passages from DeSantis's memoir, indicating the governor acknowledged political retaliation. This could be a violation of free speech, which could lead to significant legal ramifications.
In one passage, DeSantis justified retaliating against Disney because of its “support of indoctrinating young schoolchildren in woke gender identity politics.”
Recently, DeSantis' Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board countered the allegations by suing Disney.
The board has claimed the Reedy Creek Board did not follow the necessary steps before creating an agreement, which the CFTOD has since overturned with DeSantis' support.
But in DeSantis' memoir, per Disney's lawsuit, he "posited that the new board could stop Disney from 'trying to inject woke ideology' into children."
He added:
"I think all of these board members very much would like to see the type of entertainment that all families can appreciate."
The likelihood that DeSantis' efforts to appease a right-wing constituency could ultimately backfire has become a major source of entertainment on social media.
People mocked DeSantis as a result.
Last week, In response to the lawsuit, DeSantis' communications director stated they were "unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state."
They expressed DeSantis' belief the lawsuit "is yet another unfortunate example of the company's hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law."
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