Mickey vs. The Gov: Disney Throws Down in First Amendment Showdown 🐭⚖️🤔
TL:DR: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts gets backing from journalist group in court tiff with Florida’s Gov. DeSantis. At the heart? Retaliation accusations and a sprinkle of First Amendment. 📜🔥
Once upon a time, in a land called Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts decided it wasn’t just about princesses and fairy dust. They had bones to pick with none other than the governor, Ron DeSantis. Who knew Mickey Mouse had such a feisty side? 🐭🥊
Disney’s beef? They weren’t down with a 2022 state law limiting talk about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools. They claimed Big Ron and pals retaliated against them for their stance. A little “you-can’t-sit-with-us” from the state, perhaps? 🚫🎒
Enter: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. This D.C. based crew rushed to Disney’s side, waving the First Amendment flag. Their worry? If DeSantis and his squad can come for big players like Disney, who’s next? Journalists? Reporters? Your favorite blogger? 😲📰
On the same day, an Orange County judge slapped away Disney’s request to toss out a different lawsuit. This one was brought by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, a new group formed by (guess who?) DeSantis. They basically replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which had been in Disney’s pocket for years.
The drama doesn’t end there. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight peeps are trying to scrap some old development agreements made by Disney. Meanwhile, Judge Margaret Schreiber wasn’t letting Disney off the hook. She penned a juicy 14-page decision that basically said, “Nope, we’re not dismissing this.” 📝❌
DeSantis and friends fired back in the federal lawsuit, talking about some “sweetheart deal” Disney had with the old Reedy Creek board. They went all out, pointing fingers at Disney for setting local taxes, building codes, and even hinting they could build their own airport or—wait for it—a nuclear power plant! (Mickey with nuclear power? Now that’s a plot twist! 💥)
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press isn’t just watching from the sidelines. They’ve jumped in the ring, seeking to add their voice to the mix. They see this tiff as more than just a Disney vs. DeSantis boxing match. They believe it’s a First Amendment showdown, warning against governments trying to silence critics. 🤫⛔
So, as this enchanting tale unfolds, a key question arises: If one of the world’s most magical companies alleges open punishment from a state for speaking out, and the state kinda admits it… where does that leave the rest of us?
Question to ponder: If a powerhouse like Disney can get into such a tangle, what does it mean for the little guys out there? 🤷♂️🤔 And more importantly, if Mickey could run his own airport, what would the in-flight snacks be like? 🍿✈️🤣
Note: Turnt Up News doesn’t give recommendations or advice. Always think for yourself, and do your own research. Also, this isn’t investment, legal, or health advice, y’all. Just sharing the tea! ☕️🐸📰
