Investing.com - Disney (NYSE:DIS) filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, accusing the Republican governor of orchestrating a campaign to "weaponize government power” against the company.
The federal lawsuit alleges that a campaign to punish Disney over its political views was “orchestrated at every step” by DeSantis and now threatens the company’s business, according to several media outlets.
The lawsuit comes just after a board appointed by DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World’s operations voted to end an agreement struck between Disney and the previous board in February, attempting to rein in power from the entertainment giant.
The lawsuits deepens a months-long dispute between the company and DeSantis, a likely candidate for the Republicans’ 2024 presidential nomination, initially over LGBTQ+ rights, but now has evolved to Disney World's self-governing privileges in the Orlando area.
Florida lawmakers are expected to introduce a bill in the coming weeks that would revoke Disney parks' exemption from ride inspections by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.