DeSantis Tells Disney to “Move On” Following Federal Lawsuit Appeal

Here’s the latest in the ongoing feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Reedy Creek Improvement District

Earlier this week, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Walt Disney Company accusing Governor DeSantis of political retaliation. Disney then appealed the decision to dismiss the lawsuit, stating, “If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.”

On February 1st, DeSantis spoke at a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida, and shared his thoughts on Disney’s appeal, “They should move on. This company took control of the local government, which is not good government.”

@CNBC

The notice of appeal was filed on February 1st, the day after the judge’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit. In dismissing Disney’s free speech case, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor wrote that when a law on its face is constitutional, plaintiffs can’t make free speech claims challenging it because they believe lawmakers acted with unconstitutional motives.

©Governor DeSantis via Twitter

Commenting on the case, Rollins College professor emeritus Richard Foglesong said, “As the judge’s ruling shows, [Disney] erred in using the courts to resolve a political question. Everyone knows the Legislature’s act was retaliatory toward Disney. It just wasn’t provable by legal standards.”

Reedy Creek

We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more updates as the legal battles between Disney and DeSantis continue, so stay tuned to AllEars for the latest news.