Trial Involving Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis May Be Postponed Until 2025
Attorneys representing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have requested a trial involving Disney to be postponed until the middle of 2025. The proposed schedule, outlined in a federal court filing in Tallahassee, seeks an August 4, 2025, trial date. This request would ensure that the trial takes place well after the GOP presidential nomination race concludes and voters have chosen a winner in the November 2024 general election.
The lawsuit filed by Disney claims that its free speech rights were violated when DeSantis took over its governing district in retaliation for the company’s opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation championed by the governor. In the same filing, Disney proposed a trial date of July 15, 2024, which coincides with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The two sides also disagree on the timing of a motion that would ask the judge to make a decision in favor of one side without a full trial. Disney proposed filing its motion for summary judgment in April 2024, while DeSantis’ attorneys argue that it should be filed exactly a year later, in April 2025.
Earlier this week, DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District requested the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, put it on hold, or drop them as defendants.
The dispute between Disney and DeSantis began last year after the company publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, which critics referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” policy. In response, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by the Republican-led Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for Disney World. However, before the new board took over, Disney made agreements with previous oversight board members who were supporters of the company, effectively stripping the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction.
In retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers passed legislation to repeal those agreements. Disney subsequently sued DeSantis and the five-member board, seeking to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park district and the actions of the new oversight board, claiming that they violated the company’s free speech rights. The board also sued Disney in state court in an attempt to maintain control over construction and design at Disney World.
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for both Disney and Governor DeSantis. As the legal battle continues, the proposed trial date of 2025 would ensure that it takes place after the conclusion of the GOP presidential nomination race and the general election, allowing voters to focus on the outcome of the trial without the distraction of ongoing political campaigns.
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press.
What are the potential strategic reasons behind Disney’s proposed trial date that coincides with the Republican National Convention?
Ts motion for summary judgment by December 1, 2022, while DeSantis’ attorneys suggested a filing date of June 1, 2025.
The judge overseeing the case will now have to decide on the trial date and the timing of the summary judgment motion. The decision will likely have significant implications for both parties involved.
For DeSantis, postponing the trial until after the 2024 general election would provide him with some assurance that the case will not interfere with his presidential ambitions. By ensuring that a trial does not take place until after the conclusion of the GOP presidential nomination race, DeSantis can focus his attention solely on his campaign without the distraction and potential negative publicity of a high-profile legal battle.
On the other hand, Disney’s decision to propose a trial date that coincides with the Republican National Convention suggests a strategic move. Holding a trial during a major political event could amplify the company’s message and potentially increase its chances of garnering public support. It may also align with Disney’s desire to put pressure on DeSantis, as the trial could generate negative press for the governor during a critical political moment.
The trial itself will center around whether DeSantis violated Disney’s free speech rights by taking over its governing district. The “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, which aimed to restrict the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools, was adamantly opposed by Disney. The company argues that DeSantis retaliated against them by exerting control over their district.
The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching consequences for both Disney and DeSantis. Depending on the judge’s decision, it may set a precedent for how politicians interact with corporations when it comes to matters of free speech and opposition to legislative initiatives. The trial could also impact DeSantis’ political future, especially if he is seeking the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
While the request for a trial postponement until 2025 may seem unusual, it reflects the complex and time-consuming nature of high-profile legal cases. With both parties eager to secure a favorable outcome, the timeline of the trial and the summary judgment motion will be closely watched by political commentators, legal experts, and those interested in the intersection of free speech and corporate influence in politics.
It seems like Gov. Ron DeSantis is strategically prioritizing his political career over the Disney trial, ultimately exploiting the presidential race to his advantage. Is this a case of prioritizing personal gain over justice?