New analysis explains how DeSantis’ memoir could come back to haunt him amid legal battle with Disney

05 May 2023

A new analysis is shedding light on how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) may have accidentally given Disney what it needs to prevail in court as their legal battle progresses.

In a new piece published by Business Insider, reporter Erin Snodgrass began with an overview of what is transpiring between the Disney and the Republican governor.

"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. sued DeSantis last week, alleging that the Republican lawmaker engaged in a 'targeted campaign of government retaliation' against Disney, 'weaponizing' his government power against the company for expressing protected, political speech," Snodgrass wrote.

Explaining the mega corporation's ultimate goal for the lawsuit, she noted basis for the lawsuit and what Disney would need to do to win in court.

"The legal battle between the two is likely to hinge on whether Disney can prove the Republican governor targeted the company because of its comments on the Parental Rights in Education Bill, speech that is protected by the First Amendment," she wrote.

Speaking to Insider last month, David Schultz —a law professor visiting at the University of Minnesota Law School — shared his take on the legal battle between Disney and the Republican governor.

"If it was unequivocally clear that the whole purpose of a law was to retaliate against Disney for its executives' statements, that's a First Amendment violation," Schultz said.

Snodgrass went on to explain how DeSantis' memoir could be problematic for his arguments against the corporation.

"The Disney lawsuit cites four direct passages from DeSantis' February book, suggesting the governor's own writing on the matter as evidence of his alleged targeted and retaliatory attack against the company," she explained.

Snodgrass wrote:

The lawsuit cites a part of DeSantis' memoir where he recounted his critiques of Disney's speech, arguing that the governor petitioned action against the company specifically because it spoke out. The claim quotes the memoir, saying: 'In promising to work to repeal the bill,' he asserted, 'the company was pledging a frontal assault on a duly enacted law of the State of Florida.' As a consequence of its disfavored speech and petitioning, he declared, '[t]hings got worse for Disney.'

In the 74-page lawsuit, Snodgrass also noted that Disney has thoroughly examined DeSantis' claims and other remarks as she highlighted three critical takeaways which included direct threats toward the corporation.

From Your Site Articles