The Walt Disney Company has once again found itself the topic of a political conversation. This time, it was former President Donald Trump who spoke out about the company. It seems that Trump and Disney have become unlikely allies because of a common enemy: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump and DeSantis have been at each other’s throats for a while. These two men are in direct competition as the two forerunners in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination. Now, Trump is using the feud between Disney and DeSantis as a way of mocking the governor.
One of the major news stories of the past few months has been the drama between Gov. DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company. Disney CEO Bob Iger has openly expressed his disapproval of the Governers “Don’t say Gay” bill that would restrict the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in Florida schools. As retaliation, DeSantis attempted to strip Disney of the special tax status that they had held for decades. This situation became a huge talking point nationally. While it seemed that DeSantis would be victorious in this issue, Disney ended up the victor due to a clause that basically stripped the new board of any power.
Former President Donald Trump decided to share his thoughts on the situation. He made a post on his Truth Social account, saying;
“First Ron DeSanctimonious got outplayed, outsmarted, and embarrassed by Mickey Mouse and Disney. Now, while Fort Lauderdale is facing the worst flooding in 100 years, DeSanctus is on tour with his ‘shadow’ campaign for president, instead of taking care of the people of Florida.”
Many people were surprised to see Trump commend Disney in this way. It can be inferred that Disney will likely come up again in conversation as the 2024 Presidential race grows nearer.
For many directors, casting Johnny Depp in a feature film role is an achievement that signals success in their own careers, and one director was so pleased to land Depp that the studio paid the actor $10,000 for every word he spoke during the film.
What began as a seemingly insignificant role in a horror film in the early 1980s turned into one of the most lucrative film careers in Hollywood history for actor and musician Johnny Depp. Between his first role as a teenager in Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984 and his most recent role as King Louis XV in the soon-to-be-released Netflix film La Favorite, Johnny Depp has made more than 70 feature films, embodying a wide range of character roles, including the Mad Hatter in Disney’s Tim Burton collab Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016), Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and, of course, the incomparable Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise (2003-2017).
Depp spent the bulk of his acting career enjoying offer after money-making offer for roles in upcoming blockbuster film projects, but all of that came to a screeching halt when Depp was accused by his ex-wife, Amber Heard, of domestic violence and domestic abuse. Some moviehouses like Disney and Universal dropped Depp (though Universal was far kinder to the beleaguered actor than Disney was), and for a short period of time, Depp had very few offers to star in new films.
After a lengthy defamation trial in 2022 brought on by Depp’s suit against Heard, the jury found Heard to be the abuser, and Depp moved on with his life and career, taking time to pursue his first love–music–while playing guitar alongside one of his best friends, musician Jeff Beck.
Though Disney has made no attempt to apologize to Johnny Depp for judging him without the facts, he continues to be a hot commodity in the film industry. In March 2023, the director of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean films, Jerry Bruckheimer, reiterated his desire to have Depp star in a further installment of the franchise.
The Hollywood trend over the last few years of denying roles to Johnny Depp is quite a switch from what had taken place throughout Depp’s career up to that point. In 1990, only a few years after Depp made his acting debut, he was cast in the starring role in a film written and directed by Tim Burton.
Edward Scissorhands debuted at the box office on December 7, 1990, and was an instant hit. The film tells the story of an artificial young man, Edward Scissorhands, created by a scientist who dies before his project is completed–but not before he gives him a freakish appearance with scissor blades instead of hands. Edward’s life is turned upside-down when a suburban family takes him in as one of their own.
In the film, Depp embodies Edward Scissorhands, bringing the character to life. But his character is very quiet during the film, saying a total of only about 150 words throughout the length of the film. But for his efforts in the film, the studio paid Depp $1.5 million, or $10,000 for each word he spoke during the film.
Disney CEO Bob Iger says he’s very open to sitting down with Florida’s governor to discuss the ongoing and escalating battle between the entertainment giant and the Sunshine State.
Last week, Disney CEO Bob Iger was named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, an honor that the publication bestows upon artists, philanthropists, musicians, actors, athletes, and corporate and political leaders whose influence has been instrumental in shaping the year’s events. On TIME’s 2023 list, Iger rubs elbows with 99 other influential people around the world, including Super Bowl LVII MVP Patrick Mahomes, star of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal, singer-songwriter Beyonce, Tesla founder-turned-Twitter-owner Elon Musk, and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has been named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2023. In the interview, Iger discusses layoffs, DeSantis, and how he has been at Disney for 50 of the 100 years. pic.twitter.com/mBBOrFDzHv
During an interview with the magazine, Iger discussed the ways in which he is managing the current phase of The Walt Disney Company’s journey, where he goes when he needs advice, and whether he actually feels like he is influential. He also touched on the current battle between The Walt Disney Company and the state of Florida–a battle that began in early 2022 and continues to escalate.
“I do not view this as a going-to-mattresses situation for us,” Iger told TIME.
Since March 2022, a battle has been brewing between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company, beginning when Disney stuck its proverbial nose into Florida politics. Disney took a loud and public stance of opposition to an education bill passed by the Florida legislature.
Only weeks before, Disney’s then-CEO Bob Chapek reportedly attempted to steer clear of meddling in Florida politics, but after pressure from some of the Cast Members within the company, he caved, ultimately speaking out against the proposed legislation just before it passed. Following the signing of the bill into law, Chapek issued yet another public statement of opposition to the bill that Disney felt simply should have never been made law.
In retaliation, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special tax district incepted in the late 1960s that effectively allowed Disney World to execute its own practices of self-government. As time marched on toward July 1, 2023–the date on which the law was to go into effect–the storm between the Sunshine State and the House of Mouse seemed to calm a bit.
But the battle has been reignited in recent weeks, becoming even louder than ever.
In his interview with TIME, Iger said he’s completely open to sitting down with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in an effort to talk out their differences.
“If the governor of Florida wants to meet with me to discuss all of this, of course, I would be glad to do that,” Iger said.
At this time, Governor DeSantis has yet to respond to Iger’s offer, and as this is a developing situation, updates will be shared as they become available.
The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger has made the Time 100 list in the “Innovator” category as one of the most influential people in 2023.
In a four-minute video on the Time website, Iger speaks about his decades-long career with ABC and Disney and how Disney’s values keep it standing.
In a full interview with Time, Iger also spoke about Disney’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Disney’s recent executive layoffs, and the company’s future.
Iger said of his return, “I was brought back for a reason. The company had gone through a very difficult period, exacerbated by a global pandemic. And more than anything, the company needed stability, needed to establish a set of priorities and focus on them. The only way you end up getting to success is by deciding what the opportunities are, and then organizing your people and your company to go after them.”
Mary Barra, the CEO of GM who is also on Disney’s board of directors, wrote the following about Iger for Time:
For 100 years, the Walt Disney Co. has entertained, informed, and inspired people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Bob Iger has guided the company to success for nearly two decades and is one of the best leaders I know.
There’s a reason Bob remains one of the world’s most admired CEOs. He has led landmark acquisitions, championed culture-defining films, launched innovative distribution platforms, and delivered strong financial results, all while never forgetting the people—the employees and the fans—who make it all possible. His return as CEO in 2022 ushered in a new era of transformation and creative excellence for the most magical company on earth.
His authenticity and pragmatism set him apart. “True authority and true leadership comes from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else,” he said. I’ve personally learned so much from his leadership.
Bob Iger & Disney
Bob Iger began working for ABC in 1974, performing menial labor on TV sets and working his way up through the ranks. By 1988, he was serving as the senior program executive for the Calgary Winter Olympics, which achieved record-high ratings for the network.
He was named head of ABC Entertainment in 1989. During his tenure, he greenlit shows that have made lasting impressions like “Twin Peaks” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
He was president of the ABC Network Television Group from January 1993 to 1994. He was named Capital Cities/ABC senior vice president in March 1993 and then executive vice president in July 1993. The next year, he was named president and COO of Capital Cities/ABC.
When The Walt Disney Company purchased ABC in 1995, Iger remained chairman. He was named president of Walt Disney International in February 1999.
He was promoted to president and COO directly under CEO Michael Eisner in January 2000.
In March 2005, Disney announced that Iger would be taking over the position of CEO from Eisner. Eisner officially exited the company in September 2005.
Iger became famous for all of Disney’s acquisitions during his tenure as CEO, starting in 2006 when the company purchased Pixar. Iger also re-acquired the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit that year.
In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment, and in 2012, they purchased Lucasfilm. In 2011, Iger became chairman of Disney’s board.
Iger’s CEO contract was extended multiple times, until he officially announced he would retire in 2020. In early 2020, the board of directors named chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Bob Chapek as his replacement.
Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iger retained many CEO duties as he stayed on as chairman of the board. He officially retired on December 31, 2021.
Not even a full year later, on November 20, 2022, the board of directors fired Bob Chapek and brought Iger back as CEO. He signed a contract to stay on as CEO for two years. He and the board say they are committed to finding a replacement CEO. The new CEO could come from within the company or could be someone like Tom Staggs or Kevin Mayer, who were previously passed over for the position and left Disney. Iger’s contract could also be extended if a suitable CEO isn’t found.
The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger was named one of Time’s most influential people of 2023 and sat down for an interview with the magazine. During the interview, Time asked Iger about Disney’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, sparked by Disney’s denouncement of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill last year.
Time asked Iger, “Did you checkmate Ron DeSantis?” referencing the recent reveal that the Reedy Creek Improvement District had, just before DeSantis’ board took over, passed a number of restrictive covenants which handed most of the District’s power to Disney for a period of at least thirty years.
“Disney World opened just over 50 years ago,” Iger said. “It was the vision and the dream of Walt Disney, probably the most ambitious thing he ever did—turning swampland in Central Florida into a business that employs over 75,000 people, that is visited by tens of millions of people every year, that is a major tourist destination in the United States, and for the state of Florida, that creates huge value for our company and its employees, and for the state of Florida itself. Our sole goal in Florida is to continue creating that value for all those constituencies. All we want is a relationship with the state that enables us to continue to do that. We have the wherewithal and we have the desire to continue to invest there to grow that business so that we can hire more people so that we can increase our attendance, and so that we can basically increase more value for the Walt Disney Company and for the state of Florida. It’s that simple.”
Time continued, “Usually, you’re very much a let’s-sit-down-and-get-past-our differences guy, and much less a let’s-go-to-the-mattresses guy. Is there no trying to meet with the governor?”
“I do not view this as a going-to-mattresses situation for us,” Iger said. “If the governor of Florida wants to meet with me to discuss all of this, of course, I would be glad to do that. You know, I’m one that typically has respected our elected officials and the responsibility that they have, and there would be no reason why I wouldn’t do that.”
Earlier this month at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, Iger accused Gov. DeSantis of punishing Disney for exercising their right to free speech. “We love the state of Florida,” he said, citing the company’s various investments in the community over the years and saying he respected and appreciated what the state has done for Disney in the past. “Any action that thwarts these efforts simply to retaliate is anti-business and anti-Florida.”
Reedy Creek’s final moves shocked DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, who expressed disbelief at Disney’s actions and retained multiple law firms to fight the agreement in court. DeSantis ordered a criminal investigation into Disney and the old board.
DeSantis also promised to double down on his efforts to punish Disney through methods both in the Legislature and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board. Notably, he promised to hike Disney’s hotel taxes and institute tolls on the roads around Walt Disney World Resort property now administered by the CFTOB.
