Attorneys for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have requested a trial involving Disney to be postponed until mid-2025, after the GOP presidential nomination race and the November 2024 general election. In a court filing on Tuesday, DeSantis’ attorneys and his appointees to the board governing Disney World proposed an August 4, 2025, trial date.
The lawsuit filed by Disney claims that its free speech rights were violated when DeSantis took over its governing district in retaliation for opposing the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that the governor supported. Disney, on the other hand, proposed a trial date of July 15, 2024, which coincides with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The two sides also disagreed on when a motion should be filed for a decision in favor of one side without a full trial. Disney suggested filing the motion for summary judgment in April 2024, while DeSantis’ attorneys argued it should be a year later, in April 2025.
Recently, 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 when the company publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” policy. In response, DeSantis took over the district through legislation and appointed a new board to oversee municipal services for Disney World. However, the company had made agreements with previous board members who were Disney supporters, stripping the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction. In retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers repealed those agreements through legislation.
Disney sued DeSantis and the five-member board, seeking to void the governor’s takeover and the actions of the new oversight board, claiming that they violated the company’s free speech rights. In turn, the board sued Disney in state court to maintain control over construction and design at Disney World.
The trial date and other legal proceedings will determine the outcome of this ongoing dispute between Disney and Governor DeSantis.
What are the main points of contention between Disney and Governor DeSantis in their respective lawsuits, and how will the trial date and other legal proceedings impact the resolution of this dispute
Attorneys representing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have requested a trial involving Disney to be postponed until mid-2025, after the GOP presidential nomination race and the November 2024 general election. In a court filing on Tuesday, DeSantis’ legal team and his appointees to the Disney World governing board proposed an August 4, 2025, trial date.
Disney had filed a lawsuit claiming that its free speech rights were violated when DeSantis took over its governing district in response to the company’s opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that the governor supported. Disney, on the other hand, suggested a trial date of July 15, 2024, which happens to coincide with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The two sides also disagreed on the timing of a motion for summary judgment, which would favor one side without a full trial. Disney proposed filing the motion in April 2024, while DeSantis’ attorneys argued for a later date, April 2025.
Recently, DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District requested that the judge dismiss the lawsuit, put it on hold, or remove them as defendants.
The conflict between Disney and DeSantis originated when the company publicly opposed a state law that banned discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in early-grade classrooms, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” policy. In response, DeSantis gained control of the district through legislation and appointed a new board to oversee municipal services for Disney World. However, the company had previously entered agreements with board members who supported Disney, effectively stripping the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction. In retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers repealed those agreements through legislation.
Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the five-member board in an attempt to nullify the governor’s takeover and the actions of the new oversight board, citing violations of the company’s free speech rights. In turn, the board sued Disney in state court to retain control over construction and design at Disney World.
The trial date and other legal proceedings will ultimately determine the resolution of this ongoing dispute between Disney and Governor DeSantis.