Photo byPhoto 287064033 | Desantis © Jhansen2 The Florida Republican party has not yet benefited politically from Ron DeSantis' fierce war with Disney.
While DeSantis believed his presidential campaign would benefit him if he made fights against "woke" institutions a centerpiece of his political identity, GOP voters seem to have other priorities.
The governor's culture war has cost his home state dearly and made him the subject of intra-party criticisms. DeSantis is unable even to defend his own strategies nowadays. On the other hand, he's becoming a laughing stock on the left, with some giving him extreme nicknames, au pair with Trump's.
Instant trouble for DeSantis
The Florida governor disputes he's punishing Disney. He also says the entertainment mogul can't simply disagree with him without being penalized. Either way, DeSantis is trying to pass laws that exclusively target Disney.
DeSantis also wants Disney to withdraw its legal action against the Republican government.
"They are suing the state of Florida. They're going to lose that lawsuit... So I would say, drop the lawsuit." said DeSantis when asked what he would say to Disney CEO Bob Iger if they spoke.
He's also unhappy about Orange and Osceola Counties needing to pick up the tab Disney pays to support the police, firefighters, and roads.
DeSantis seems to want this to play our three ways. He wants attention for fighting "woke," zero scrutinies, and someone else to pick up the tab for his actions.
The infamous politicking
The governor of Florida signed a proposal known as the "Don't Say Gay" regulation last year. Disney, a major company in the Sunshine State, eventually voiced its disapproval of the anti-LGBTQ+ measure.
In a typical political setting, the governor might have maintained his stance and communicated his disapproval of the corporation, at which time the important actors would have gone on. This is an everyday democratic process. Instead, DeSantis choose retaliation from a position of political power.
Politics are anything but ordinary in DeSantisLand, though: The far-right governor responded to the minor and insignificant criticism by picking a fight with Disney, which had severe repercussions for local governance.
This was done partly to punish the corporate giant for defying him in public and partly to signal to others that he would retaliate against anyone who questioned his position.
Do you support DeSanti's war on Disney?
Leave your comment below and share this story on social media.
Most Popular
Comments / 0