Disney sues Florida for “government retaliation” in escalating feud

Disney is suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alleging his administration waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” against the company’s “protected speech.” In the lawsuit, Disney claims DeSantis “threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”

“Disney regrets that it has come to this,” the lawsuit states. “But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”

This is the latest development in an ongoing feud between Disney and DeSantis after the company pushed back against the governor’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bars public school teachers from talking about sexual orientation. Earlier this month, DeSantis ordered an investigation into whether Walt Disney World’s special district broke the law by approving a new set of rules that goes against DeSantis’ proposed takeover.