Disney’s feud with DeSantis is over — and it’s donating to Republicans again

The yearslong feud first started in 2022 when Disney executives publicly opposed DeSantis’ bill — which has since been signed into law — that restricts discussions of gender and sexual orientation in classrooms.

Critics called the legislation the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

In response to its opposition, DeSantis grabbed control of the board that oversees Disney World’s special tax district, renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and replacing all of its board members with his own.

Disney, in turn, sued, arguing it was being politically targeted; DeSantis’ board sued right back.

The legal back-and-forth finally ended in March when DeSantis’ handpicked board agreed to settle the lawsuit brought by Disney.

Now, ironically, Disney is supporting some Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay,” bill, the Sentinel reported.

That includes an in-kind donation worth more than $16,000 to Florida Farmers and Ranchers United, a group associated with Rep. Josie Tomkow, campaign-finance records show. Tomkow voted for the bill, officially called the Parental Rights in Education Act.

Disney also gave about $10,000 each to two committees affiliated with the Republican state senators Jason Brodeur and Joe Gruters, campaign-finance records show. Both state lawmakers also supported the controversial bill.

Though Disney has resumed in-kind donations, Sen. Geraldine Thompson, a Democrat, has said Disney headquarters has not yet approved monetary donations, the Sentinel reported.

Perhaps the most significant sign of a final détente between Disney and the DeSantis administration came Wednesday when the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved Disney’s $17 billion development deal.

The deal allows Disney to spend billions on its Walt Disney World properties in the next 10 to 20 years, potentially on an expansion to build a fifth park.

Disney, in return, must award half of its related construction work to Florida-based businesses and spend $10 million on “attainable housing projects.” The company must also donate 100 acres of its land to the tourism district.