The Walt Disney Company is no stranger to criticism, but recently CEO Bob Iger participated in an interview on CNBC with David Faber to address a variety of recent topics that have been making headlines.
Magic Kingdom
During the interview on July 13th, Iger commented on The Walt Disney Company’s plans for the future and addressed some recent news, including the fact that Bob Iger is set to remain CEO through 2026. Here’s what Bob Iger had to say.
The CNBC interview covered a wide range of topics, including the conversation around Disney World’s park attendance, the fate of Disney’s linear networks, and more. Iger was then asked directly about the ongoing political conflict with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Iger provided a comment.
Background
The political conflict started after Disney responded to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics refer to as “Don’t Say Gay”). DeSantis then criticized Disney’s response, and soon the conflict turned to the courts when both Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board filed lawsuits against one another.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
The political conflict has resulted in several major changes. One of the biggest changes was the removal of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was replaced with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. In short, the District oversees matters in the counties that Walt Disney World is located in and has the ability to vote on and enact changes that may impact Disney World.
Click here to learn more about the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
Iger’s Response to Recent Claims
One of the current accusations made against Disney comes from both Ron DeSantis and others. Some believe that Disney has a “woke agenda” and accuse the company of “sexualizing children.” In Iger’s recent interview with David Faber, Disney laid out a response.
Disney vs. DeSantis
Faber pointed out a specific quote from DeSantis, which read, “We put the Company on a pedestal, but they’ve really embraced the idea of getting these sexualized content in the program line that I’m not willing to cross.”
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
Iger said that so far, Disney has publicly stated that it is “concerned that [DeSantis] has decided to retaliate against the company for a position the company took on pending legislation in that state.”
©Disney
He then added that “the company was within its right…to speak up on an issue constitutionally protected right of free speech, and to retaliate against the company in a way that would be harmful to the business was not something that we could sit back and tolerate.”
Bob Chapek and Bob Iger ©CNBC
Iger also mentioned that he was not sure “the situation was handled very well” but went on to defend the company’s decision to file a lawsuit. Iger said, “And so, we have filed a lawsuit to protect our First Amendment rights there and to protect our business frankly.”
Magic Kingdom
In reference to Faber’s remarks about the political conflict, Iger noted, “The last thing that I want for the company is for the company to be drawn into any culture wars.” Faber then asserted that Iger can’t be happy when there are “literally Nazis standing outside at the front gates of the park,” which is likely in reference to headlines that there were people holding Nazi flags outside Walt Disney World, along with a sign featuring Ron DeSantis.
Disney World
Iger responded by saying, in part, “That was horrifying, quite frankly.” He added, “Our goal is to continue to tell wonderful stories and have a positive, positive impact on the world.”
Magic Kingdom
Finally, Iger addressed the claim that Disney is sexualizing children. He said, “The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing children, quite frankly, is preposterous and inaccurate.”
©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger
Disney hopes to be “mindful of the environment” and “sensitive to the interest and the needs of the great audiences” that the brand hopes to attract.
EPCOT
Of course, following the interview, the conflict between DeSantis and Disney is far from over. The federal lawsuit filed by Disney is pending, as is the state lawsuit filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. In the meantime, there are steps being taken within the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that may impact Disney.
We will have to wait and see what happens next, and we will continue to share the latest updates. Stay tuned for more Disney news.
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I think Disney needs new senior leadership urgently. It is disturbing that Iger will remain CEO for 3.5 more years. Bob Iger is not the man to lead Disney through the changes needed to turn things around, creatively and with Disney’s relationship with Central Florida. Iger is too invested in Disney’s current practices and positions. Disney’s new creative content is just so-so at best, and is need of an overhaul.
Despite what DeSantis claims, “woke” simply means being cognizant that injustices exist and there is a need to end them. To.be blunt, it means recognizing that PoC exist, that slavery and Jim Crow are a permanent stain on this country’s history, and that less obvious versions still flourish. I guess I have been woke my entire life. land A by “sexualizing children” he means acknowledging the fact that LGBTQ people and families exist. There is a,sad but noisy minority who would like to keep.their heads in the sand and ignore those facts.
It is, frankly, good business for Disney to.acknowledge diversity. PoC are a flourishing market as I’d the LGBTQ community. God help us when they find out the Goth community– you know, those blue haired Satanists who dress on.black (not true, but hey, the DeDaster crowd aren’t known for caring about actual.facts,)– organized Goth Day at Disneyland.
Disney’s vision should continue to be inclusive. This country is becoming less white and less conservative Christian with every year. And I think.the CPU try can survive an adorable Black mermaid and three seconds of legal dancing with another man.
When Bob Iger said cost was not an issue in the drop in attendance…..it showed that he is very much out of touch with reality. For most young families, the cost is very prohibitive.
Yes, I love Disney World; I’d go twice a year if I could, but the hotels are so expensive now that I think that I’m lucky if I can get there every ten years or so. I haven’t been there since 2012 and I’m trying to plan a trip right now for2024.
I live in Florida and am not a member of any political party. I am observing that when the Governor is asked questions he cannot or does not want to answer he goes on his tirade. When tne Nazis flags, people holding them and chanting for DeSantis occurred outside of Disney’s gates he didn’t address the matter at all. Instead of focusing on lack of affordable housing, skyrocketing home insurance, seeing that those effected by hurricanes Irma and Ian get the help they were promised and a few other problems Floridians face he blames everything on those who may not agree with him and those he is courting. I find Gillian’s observations to be true. I wish the focus could be put on helping all Floridians with real problems we face everyday. To many disney has always given hop and let us dream.