Disney Focuses Federal Lawsuit Against DeSantis on Political Retaliation

Disney amended Thursday its federal lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It now focuses squarely on First Amendment claims the Republican violated the company's constitutional rights to free speech by retaliating against its public support of LGBTQ rights.

Disney dropped its claims regarding development contracts, which are still being litigated in state court.

It's the latest move in the escalating legal battle between the media conglomerate and the state over what Disney characterizes as a "targeted campaign of government retaliation," according to its lawsuit.

The Disney-DeSantis feud began on March 9, 2022, when then-chief executive Bob Chapek told investors that he called DeSantis to share his concerns that a state bill, that has now since become a law, could "be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary, and transgender kids and families." The law restricts public school instructors from teaching topics regarding gender diversity and sexual orientation. 

Following the comments, DeSantis targeted Disney's long-standing special governing and taxing district in the state. He changed the name of the district to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and replaced its five-member board with his own hand-picked board members.

In April, Disney filed a lawsuit against the governor and the oversight district after the board nullified development contracts Disney had drawn up before the new board was appointed.

In the amended lawsuit, Disney said the changes amounted to government retaliation over the company's protected speech in violation of its constitutional rights.

The company said it will continue to pursue claims regarding the development contracts in state court.

"We will continue to fight vigorously to defend these contracts, because these agreements will determine whether or not Disney can invest billions of dollars and generate thousands of new jobs in Florida,” a Disney spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Messenger.

"Disney’s latest legal move puts them in line with the position of what the district has been advocating for months now: that these matters should be decided in state court," said the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District regarding the amended lawsuit in a statement.