Disney to Suspend Political Donations After ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Controversy
Disney is halting all political donations after controversy over Florida’s proposed “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Friday. he did so a day after the bill passed, prompting critics to say the company was not standing up for its LGBTQ cast and guests. “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I’m sorry,” Chapek wrote in an email to Disney employees on Friday. RELATED: DeSantis attack Disney the day after the CEO’s statement against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ “We are increasing our support for advocacy groups to fight similar legislation in other states. We are working hard to create a new framework for our political donations that will ensure that our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are suspending all political donations in the State of Florida pending this review,” the statement continued. Chapek promises to be a better LGBTQ ally in e- Governor Ron DeSantis issued a scathing statement of attack on Disney on Thursday the day after the company’s CEO expressed “disappointment” in a controversial bill dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. By rejecting the dice statement, the governor pointed out that Disney’s revenue depends in part on the success of its parks in China, where human rights abuses continue. “You have companies, like Disney, that are going to say and criticize parent rights and criticize the fact that we don’t want transgender in kindergarten and first grade classrooms,” DeSantis said. “If that’s the hill they’re going to die on, so how can they explain lining their pockets with their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.” Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani points out that most of the company’s political contributions, which come in part from profits theme parks in China, go to the governor and the Republican Party — $6 million since 2020. Meanwhile, Disney gets tax breaks from the GOP-led government.
Disney is suspending all political donations after controversy over Florida’s proposed “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Friday.
Chapek said this week that he called DeSantis and expressed his “disappointment” with the bill at a Disney shareholder meeting.
But he did so a day after the bill passed, prompting critics to say the company was failing to stand up for its LGBTQ members and guests.
“You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I’m sorry,” Chapek wrote in an email to Disney employees on Friday.
RELATED: DeSantis Attacks Disney the Day After CEO Speaks Out Against ‘Don’t Say Gay’
“We are increasing our support for advocacy groups to fight similar legislation in other states. We are working hard to create a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are suspending all political donations in the State of Florida pending this review,” the statement continued.
Chapek promises to be a better LGBTQ ally in the email.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a scathing attack statement on Disney on Thursday the day after the company’s CEO expressed “disappointment” in a controversial bill dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill. “.
In dismissing the statement, the governor pointed out that Disney’s revenue depends in part on the success of its parks in China where human rights abuses continue.
“You have companies, like Disney, that are going to say and criticize parent rights and criticize the fact that we don’t want transgender in kindergarten and first grade classrooms,” DeSantis said. “If this is the hill they are going to die on, then how can they explain lining their pockets with their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.”
Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani points out that most of the company’s political contributions, which come in part from profits from theme parks in China, go to the governor and the Republican Party — $6 million since 2020. Meanwhile, Disney receives tax breaks from the GOP-led government.
