Disney Lawsuit Against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and State Board Is Dismissed by Judge

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:10 PM ET, Wed January 31, 2024

A federal judge has granted a motion to dismiss Disney’s lawsuit against Florida’s governor and the board that oversees Disney’s Florida location.

The lawsuit was filed by Disney in April for what the entertainment giant perceived to be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ weaponizing of his political power as retribution in response to Disney exercising its right to free speech.

The federal lawsuit alleged that the state government had violated the company’s free speech rights when the governor took over the theme park district and installed a new oversight board.

The judge’s ruling however was that Disney lacked standing to sue DeSantis. Additionally, the ruling says the lawsuit lacked merit.

Disney however, is planning to forge ahead with its case, according to a statement provided to CNN.

“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” the statement provided to CNN said. “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.”

The Florida governor meanwhile, had argued that the case should be dismissed because Disney couldn’t sue over legally enacted state laws. At the time that the lawsuit was filed, DeSantis also called it “politically motivated,” and that Disney was retaliating after the local government stopped providing the company with “favorable treatment.”

“They’re upset because they’re having to live by the same rules as everybody else,” DeSantis said back in April. “They don’t want to pay the same taxes as everybody else and they want to be able to control things without proper oversight.”

Leading up to the Disney legal battle, Florida’s Republican-dominated government had eliminated Disney’s control over the 47-mile special development district where it operates. The district had given Disney autonomy over its parks.

However, DeSantis established what is now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to manage the area. The five-member oversight district board is made up of individuals chosen by DeSantis.

But the start of the row can also be traced to Disney criticizing Florida’s adoption of the Parental Rights in Education Act, back in 2022. The measure prohibits public schools from classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten up through third grade. The law also bars discussions that “go against state guidelines in all grades.”

Those opposed to the passage of the law dubbed it the "don't say gay" law. And Disney publicly stated that the measure "should never have passed and should never have been signed into law."