In the land of Hollywood, history has it that Disney has become a woke heresy. His productions? Progressive propaganda. This is the battle led by Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, the rising star of the hard right that many Republicans hope to see running for president. Apotheosis this Wednesday, April 26, after almost a year of confrontation, and multiple twists.
The company, never cited as an activist producer, announced that it had filed a complaint against Ron DeSantis, accusing the main competitor to Donald Trump of “violating his constitutional rights. Unheard of, and the impression that reality goes beyond fiction How did we get here Summary, episode by episode.
Act 1: “Don’t talk about gays”
The declaration of war? In March 2022, the Governor of Florida promotes legislation to ban any school discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. Ron DeSantis is a potential candidate for the American presidency, he multiplies radical acts, in an attempt to overtake Donald Trump on his right. Teachers and LGBT activists are outraged.
The controversy is such that Bob Chapek, one of the bosses of Disney, also indulges in criticism of this decline in human rights. There, the bugle sounds. “If Disney wants us to face each other, he chooses the wrong adversary”, answers Ron DeSantis, in a letter addressed to his activists, for a fundraiser. The plot is laid, the battle begins.
On the left, Ron DeSantis. On the right, Disney boss Robert Iger.
© / AFP
Act 2: “Woke Disney”
From then on, DeSantis prepared the mobilization. To unite his troops against Walt Disney, he harangues the crowd. On Fox News, the American conservative channel, he denounces a wokist drift of the company. Point to the enemy. In recent years, Disney has made several changes to its theme parks and streaming services that have drawn criticism from the political right. The target is all found.
The “remodeling” of the Splash Mountain ride, to prevent it from showcasing racist stereotypes? “Woke Disney”. The modification of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction by removing a scene showing pirates auctioning off women? “Woke Disney”. Removing the “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls” greeting from some of its fireworks to make them more inclusive? “Woke Disney”.
Act 3: heavy fire
Since the beginning of the year 2023, Ron DeSantis has been firing unrestrained on Disney. In February, he removes the company’s special status in his state, ending its benefits. Farewell, administrative facilities, self-management of the site, and advantageous loans. A blow dealt especially to the Disney World amusement park, which had benefited from it since the 1960s. The park employs 75,000 people and attracts 50 million visitors a year.
Mid-April, new attack. The governor has publicly considered building a “state prison” near Disney World, or a competing amusement park. He also mentioned the idea of setting up additional taxes on the hotels on the site, or road tolls around. “I think the possibilities are endless,” he said brazenly at a press conference.
Last offensive, this Wednesday. A Tourism Regulatory Board appointed by Ron DeSantis approves the cancellation of a recent business deal with the park. Yet Disney planned to invest more than $17 billion in Disney World over the next decade, creating more than 10,000 jobs and attracting even more tourists to Florida.
Act 4: yet another politico-judicial trench war
As a counter-offensive, Walt Disney Parks and Resort filed a complaint. The company accuses Ron DeSantis of having orchestrated a real “campaign” to carry out “targeted government revenge” against him, to punish him for having exercised his “freedom of expression”. This “now threatens Disney’s business activities, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights”, argues the company.
And there you have it, yet another legalized political fight in the United States. Still, the war effort is questioned even within the Republicans. Some criticize an anti-business fight that goes against the tradition of their party, usually openly “pro-business”. What mark a little more disagreements within the party, before 2024.