Florida GOP lawmakers express growing concern about DeSantis’ war with Disney

20 May 2023

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) moves forward with the war he's waged against Disney, some Florida Republican leaders and lawmakers are expressing concern about the potentially negative impact of this battle.

Over the last few days, multiple Republican lawmakers have weighed in and some believe the battle has already gone further than it should have. Speaking to The Hill, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) explained the severity of politicizing this issue.

“I think where it gets problematic in the eyes of some people is when you start creating the idea — and I’m not saying we’re there yet as a state — but the idea that somehow if you run crossways with us politically, whoever’s in charge, then you may wind up in the crosshairs of the legislature for political purposes to make a statement at you,” Rubio said.

While Rubio did acknowledge that DeSantis does have the right to re-evaluate Disney's status on an annual basis, he also cautioned that if it "starts to be perceived that any corporate entity that’s operating directly or indirectly in furtherance of a political agenda that the powers that be don’t agree with, therefore we’re going to use the power of government to target you, you get concerned.”

During a recent interview, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) also explained why he believes the governor should tread lightly with Disney.

While he did support DeSantis' bill to implement restrictions for classroom etiquette where gender orientation is concerned, he also noted Disney's economic impact on the state.

“This is the biggest or second-biggest employer in the state. Half the tourism that comes to our state comes to visit Disney. It’s a reason people come to our state," Scott said. After they come there, people move there. So I think cooler heads need to prevail. My view is we have to do everything to help our businesses grow.”

The Florida lawmakers' remarks follow former President Donald Trump's prediction of how DeSantis' battle with Disney will turn out. In a post shared with Truth Social, Trump wrote, "DeSanctus is being absolutely destroyed by Disney.”

He added, “His original P.R. plan fizzled, so now he’s going back with a new one in order to save face. Disney’s next move will be the announcement that no more money will be invested in Florida because of the Governor."

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