The Walt Disney Company has never been one to shy away completely from politics. Going as far back as World War II, Walt Disney famously made propaganda videos for the United States military. However, there may not have been a time like this before — when Disney has been receiving so much backlash for its political stance.
A majority of the backlash began when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education Bill. The bill was championed by Republicans and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, but decried by groups like the Human Rights Campaign.
It’s been almost two years since the debacle began, but Disney is still dealing with some of the fallout.
On February 8, the news broke that Disney had settled a lawsuit brought by a former BP Oil executive who was supposed to work for the House of Mouse at one point.
Shanan Guinn claimed that she was offered a position within Disney’s corporate affairs department when Geoff Morrell was in charge. Unfortunately, Morrell was fired before Guinn’s contract was set to begin. Morrell was only with Disney for three months but, within that time, he managed to make a number of notable gaffes.
Morrell was the main force behind the way Chapek didn’t address and then did address the controversy. He also accidentally leaked the opening date of Walt Disney World Resort’s newest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Guinn said that her offer was wrongfully rescinded as the company continued to fight with Governor DeSantis and made a number of personnel changes. She said that she was lured to the company, only to have the lucrative offer yanked away.
Disney argued that Guinn signed a contract, and in that contract, Disney was given the right to revoke the offer at any time. They also claimed that it wasn’t wrongful termination because they had not hidden anything from Guinn, nor had they been untruthful. They said that the offer was rescinded simply because of the employment shakeup within the company.
The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, but lawyers for both Disney and Guinn informed the courts that a deal had been made.
Neither side has commented on the settlement.
