Disney decided to insert itself into the debate over the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act which was written to prevent sexual orientation and gender identity indoctrination of small school children.
Chapek, under pressure from activist groups within the company issued a statement on the matter and said they were going to "fight" the bill, and then after some harsh words they doubled down.
Disney operates Reedy Creek as their own, essentially, private fiefdom in the state of Florida, a huge plot of land mind you.
DeSantis and the State said essentially, you do not get to act as a Vatican inside the State of Florida in which you get to issue papal doctrines to the rest of the State of Florida, that's not what you're here for, you're here to provide goods and services to the State of Florida. But not to function as your own political body in the State.
So, the action to dissolve Reedy Creek was taken, a privilege nobody else has btw, so it would essentially make them like everyone else (Universal, SeaWorld, etc)
Disney is now saying this is discriminatory. They want the special district AND insert themselves into political conversations at whim, whether it affects them or not.
Should businesses be allowed to speak out against political issues? Sure. The consequences are typically social (which btw Disney is also feeling)
The difference here is the special arrangement that Disney has with the State. Also Disney is not some small start up or something.
It's certainly lighter than when Mayor Thomas Manino of Boston, wouldn't even zone Chic Fil A in an attempt to push the business out of the city. Rahm Emanuel in Chicago said similar.
On the lawsuits, they're basically just fighting all of it, and we'll see how it plays out. Again, I think it will settle down personally
I'm not sure "lost the court of public opinion" is accurate
In February, DeSantis signed legislation appointing an oversight board to oversee the Disney district and removed its self-governing status.
www.newsweek.com