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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.”
\u201cThey quote extensively from Governor DeSantis' own memoir which is extremely damning in terms of revealing intentions with state actions.\u201d— Alejandra Caraballo (@Alejandra Caraballo) 1682526508
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."
\u201cOne of the most damning of all. Ron DeSantis blatantly hinting that the new Reedy Creek board would try to exert control over content produced by Disney.\u201d— Alejandra Caraballo (@Alejandra Caraballo) 1682526508
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.
\u201cHe told on himself in his memoir, and Disney is taking it all the way to the bank.\n\n"Smartest" MAGA politician, by the way.\nhttps://t.co/yFhi80m7O0\u201d— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1683086340
\u201cDamn. Disney really just sat back and quietly let DeSantis get cocky and hand them everything they needed to prove he was intentionally punishing protected speech. How he thought that part of his memoir wasn't going to be used in lawsuits by Disney is beyond me. #DisneyvDeSantis\u201d— Kathryn Brightbill (@Kathryn Brightbill) 1682553812
\u201cOl' Pudding Fingers apparently thought only MAGA types would read his book. Silly DeSantis! Disney lawyers are submitting your campaign memoir in COURT!!! https://t.co/w74l5siUmk\u201d— Crooks and Liars (@Crooks and Liars) 1683041132
\u201cMickey Mouse has never faced a stupider foe:\n\n"When the Walt Disney Co. went looking for evidence to feature in its new lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, its lawyers found much of what they needed in DeSantis\u2019s own recently published memoir." https://t.co/eVrnFba6xG\u201d— Florida Chris (@Florida Chris) 1683029515
\u201cThe funny thing about this is that there actually is a passage in DeSantis' memoir where he discusses his private talks with Republicans in the state legislature about how they're going to singly target Disney with governmental action.\u201d— Greg Sargent (@Greg Sargent) 1683039636
\u201cThis ridiculous story just took the most hilarious turn! https://t.co/77iPCRmq71\u201d— PRIDE.COM (@PRIDE.COM) 1683135248
\u201cIt's going to be hard for DeSantis to claim that he was misquoted in his own memoir. Or that the quotes are taken out of context given how clearly they lay out that his actions were punishment against Disney speaking out against a bill.\n\nHe's hosed.\u201d— Brynn Tannehill (@Brynn Tannehill) 1683029996
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."