In an effort to cut back on spending, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced 7,000 job cuts across the company. Now an executive let go during the first wave of these cuts says he did not agree with Disney’s stance on the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
We reported recently that Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter was laid off in a round of job cuts. But now, Perlmutter has spoken with The Wall Street Journal, sharing his thoughts on everything that happened.
Perlmutter claims that he wasn’t laid off but was instead fired, saying, “I have no doubt that my termination was based on fundamental differences in business between my thinking and Disney leadership, because I care about return on investment.”
©Susan Walsh/Associated Press via The New York Times
“It was merely a convenient excuse to get rid of a longtime executive who dared to challenge the company’s way of doing business,” he said. Perlmutter has been at odds with executives, namely people like Bob Iger and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, in the past because of differences in business strategy. “All they talk about is box office, box office,” Perlmutter shared. “I care about the bottom line. I don’t care how big the box office is. Only people in Hollywood talk about box office.”
©Marvel
Perlmutter also told the Journal that he disagreed with Disney getting involved with politics — namely, the feud between the company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Perlmutter says he actually called DeSantis during the battle over the Parental Rights in Education bill (which opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill), and that he told the governor, “Ron, you’re right. Disney doesn’t have the right to get involved with politics.”
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
Disney CEO Bob Iger, by contrast, has defended Disney’s right to take a political stance on multiple occasions. During a recent shareholder meeting, Iger said, “A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do.”
Iger went on to note, “I don’t think we should or can weigh in on every issue. And I also understand there are gonna be gray areas. There are gonna [be] times when we decide to weigh in on an issue that we believe is worthy of debate because of its relevance and importance to our business or to our employees…and there are times when I actually believe we shouldn’t.”
But, he continued, “I strongly feel that we alone have to determine whether, when, or how to weigh in on an issue, whether it’s private or public. Of course with the standard that when we take a position on those matters, there’s a true reason why we have. And in almost all cases it has to be because it directly affects our business or our people.”
©Disney
Perlmutter says that he told Disney executives, “Don’t get involved in politics. You’re going to get hurt. It’s a no-win situation.” However, even though Perlmutter opposed Disney’s political stances and has had connections to top Republican politicians, including former President Donald Trump, he has made donations in the past to causes typically more associated with liberals. These causes include projects like overhauling the justice system and providing transgender medical care, according to the Wall Street Journal.
We’ll keep you updated as Disney announces more layoffs in the future and we’ll share any more company news you need to know. Stay tuned to DFB.
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Ike is racist, sexist, homophobic, and a cheapskate. He tried to fire Kevin Feige because Feige wanted to make a Black Panther and Captain Marvel movie, both of which were highly successful. I’ve never heard of anyone actually say anything positive about. He probably was fired. He tried to force his friend in the Disney board recently and that was the final straw.
Gross. I’m glad he was laid off.
Any investor wants a ROI.
Any investor with a conscious wants what’s best for everyone and doesn’t exclude people.
The fact that he didn’t care about “Box Office” value proves he didn’t belong in that position. Profits and ROI come from “Box Office” success. Every Company has the right to weigh in on Political issues especially when it affects employees and customers.
This shareholder is glad he is gone.
He should consider himself lucky to have stuck around as long as he did considering some of the information that has been shared. Seems like a wise move for the future.
All incompetents and inconsequentials claim that it’s someone else’s fault.
I guess it’s a good thing he was fired then. I agree with Mr. Iger. When it has to do with your people you need to weigh in. However, I think Chapek should have chosen his words wisely.
Bye Felicia
Good riddance!
“I have no doubt that my termination was based on fundamental differences in business between my thinking and Disney leadership.”
Well of course that was the reason, any company would have done the same. Companies want team players rather than someone who wants to do their own thing. He obviously was not a team player and seems more like a disgruntled, bitter, out-of-touch has-been stuck in the past.
Kick rocks, IKE.
Anyone who can address DeSatan with, “Ron, you’re right,” needs to stay FAR AWAY from anything “Disney.”