Actress Gina Carano has filed a lawsuit against Disney over her firing from the hit TV show “The Mandalorian,” and the lawsuit is being funded by none other than Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur, who has had his own issues with Disney in the past, has pledged to support individuals who have been treated unfairly by their employers due to their posts or activity on social media. Carano played the character Cara Dune in “The Mandalorian,” and her performance initially received positive reviews. However, controversy arose over her social media activity, which ultimately led to her dismissal from the show.
The lawsuit alleges that Carano was fired in retaliation for exercising her right to express her views. She had faced criticism for engaging in social media activity that included liking posts that disparaged the Black Lives Matter movement, mocking mask-wearing during the pandemic, and echoing former President Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Carano denies making a controversial comparison in an Instagram story that sparked backlash, stating that her words were twisted to demonize and dehumanize her.
Carano’s lawsuit raises questions about the treatment of employees based on their political views. Her attorneys argue that her male co-stars were not disciplined for expressing their political opinions on social media, even though some may find their statements abhorrent. This discrepancy highlights a potential double standard in the industry.
Elon Musk’s involvement in funding Carano’s lawsuit adds another layer to the story. Musk’s purchase of Twitter in 2022 with the intention of transforming it into a platform for unpoliced free speech has drawn attention and criticism. He has vowed to support individuals who have been unfairly treated by their employers due to their posts or activity on social media. By funding Carano’s lawsuit, Musk is aligning himself with those who feel their voices are being silenced.
The feud between Musk and Disney dates back to last year when Disney withdrew advertising dollars from Twitter, which Musk now owns. Musk has been vocal about his displeasure with Disney and has accused the company of contributing to the decline of Twitter. This lawsuit against Disney could be seen as a way for Musk to retaliate against the conglomerate.
Grant Kien, a professor at California State University, suggests that Musk’s funding of the lawsuit may be an attempt to curry favor with conservatives. He explains that taking on Disney is currently seen as a right-wing virtue signal, particularly among those who view Disney as a “woke corporation.” The ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney has garnered support from conservatives, and Musk’s involvement in the lawsuit could be seen as a way to align himself with this segment of the population.
Musk’s public image has been evolving, with him increasingly appealing to the far right. As larger companies have pulled their advertising from Twitter, smaller advertisers, often more extreme in their views, have filled the gaps. This shift in advertisers aligns with Musk’s self-proclaimed identity as a “free speech absolutist,” which resonates with the extreme right who feel silenced and marginalized.
In conclusion, Gina Carano’s lawsuit against Disney over her firing from “The Mandalorian” has attracted attention due to Elon Musk’s funding of the legal battle. The lawsuit raises questions about the treatment of employees based on their political views and highlights potential double standards in the industry. Musk’s involvement in the lawsuit can be seen as a strategic move to align himself with conservatives and further his public image as a champion of free speech. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this dispute will impact both Carano’s career and the ongoing feud between Musk and Disney.