Simone Lawson
Disney's political donations have been a topic of interest, especially given the company's previous feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the Don't Say Gay bill. In 2022, Disney paused political contributions in Florida due to the controversy surrounding the Parental Rights in Education Act. However, it was reported in 2024 that Disney had resumed donations, with records showing support for Republican lawmakers who voted for the bill. Disney's political expenditures have been criticized for appearing misaligned with the company's values and climate-related commitments, sparking discussions about the impact on its reputation and broader stakeholder interests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donated to Florida Republicans who voted for the "Don't Say Gay" bill | $10,000 each to two committees |
| Donated to Florida Farmers and Ranchers United | $16,000+ |
| Total in-kind donations to political committees in April and May | $87,000 |
| Total in-kind donations to the Republican Party of Florida from 2021 to early 2022 | $142,000 |
| Reported outside spending in the 2024 election cycle | None |
| Committed to achieving net-zero emissions by | 2030 |
| Amount invested in projects addressing climate change since 2009 | $100M |
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What You'll Learn
Disney's donations to Republicans
Disney has a history of donating to Republican politicians and their affiliated committees, with millions of dollars in contributions being made over the years. In 2022, Disney faced backlash for donating to Florida Republican senators who voted for the "Don't Say Gay" bill, also known as the Parental Rights in Education Act. The bill restricts discussions of gender and sexual orientation in classrooms, which sparked opposition from Disney executives. Despite this, Disney donated at least $250,000 to senators who voted for the bill, including $5,500 to Senator Dennis Baxley, who introduced it.
Following this controversy, Disney announced an indefinite pause on political donations. However, just a few months later in June 2024, it resumed donations to Republican politicians, including those who had supported the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Records showed that Disney gave more than $87,000 worth of in-kind, or non-monetary, donations to political committees and Republican lawmakers in April and May of 2024. This included donations to Florida Farmers and Ranchers United, a group associated with Rep. Josie Tomkow, as well as committees affiliated with Republican state senators Jason Brodeur and Joe Gruters.
Historically, Disney has donated millions of dollars to Republicans during election cycles. In the 2016 election cycle, Disney and its subsidiaries wrote 958 checks totalling $4.6 million in donations to candidates' campaigns, parties, and political committees. This pattern continued in 2018, with Disney writing 845 checks totalling $6.8 million, and again in 2020, with 553 checks for $4.3 million. These contributions often include in-kind donations, such as free theme park tickets and other goods and services.
While Disney has also donated to Democratic politicians and their committees, the company's donations have predominantly benefited Republicans. This has led to criticism from some, who argue that Disney should stay out of politics or at least be more consistent in its political giving. Despite the criticism, Disney's donations to Republicans have continued, signalling the company's ongoing influence in American politics.
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Disney's support for the Don't Say Gay bill
Disney has been accused of supporting the "Don't Say Gay" bill, also known as the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill, signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has sparked controversy and backlash for targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
Initially, Disney remained publicly neutral on the legislation, a strategy once common among corporations to avoid cultural controversy. However, as the bill gained momentum, Disney's silence drew criticism, with some arguing that the company was complicit in the passage of the discriminatory law. Following this, Disney executives publicly opposed the bill, sparking a feud with Governor DeSantis.
Despite their stated opposition, Disney has been criticized for not taking a stronger stance and for continuing to fund Florida politicians who supported the bill. Campaign-finance records show that Disney made in-kind donations to groups and committees associated with lawmakers who voted for the bill, including Rep. Josie Tomkow, and Republican state senators Jason Brodeur and Joe Gruters. These donations, totaling over $87,000, were made just months after Disney's conflict with DeSantis ended.
In response to the backlash, Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized for the company's initial silence, acknowledging the pain and frustration of Disney's LGBTQ+ employees and supporters. Chapek pledged to increase support for advocacy groups combating similar legislation and to pause all political donations in Florida pending a review of the company's political giving framework.
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Disney's opposition to DeSantis
The dispute led to the lawsuit Disney v. DeSantis, brought by the Parks, Experiences, and Products division of The Walt Disney Company in 2023. Disney claimed that DeSantis violated the company's First Amendment rights by using government power to exact political retaliation. The company argued that it was being politically targeted after expressing disapproval for the proposed bill, which was labelled by reporters, protesters, and counter-protesters as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. In response to Disney's disapproval, DeSantis repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, which had established a special governance and taxing district around Walt Disney World, giving himself control of the district, and renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
The legal back-and-forth ended in March 2024 when DeSantis' hand-picked board agreed to settle the lawsuit. Despite the settlement, Disney has faced criticism for resuming donations to Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of the "Don't Say Gay" bill, including an in-kind donation worth more than $16,000 to Florida Farmers and Ranchers United, a group associated with a supporter of the bill.
The conflict between Disney and DeSantis has had significant repercussions for the company, with critics arguing that Disney's reputation has suffered due to its opposition to the bill and its attempts to enforce its political views on Florida. Additionally, Disney has faced financial struggles, with underperforming theme parks, declining linear TV viewership, and a string of box office flops.
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Disney's in-kind contributions
In recent years, Disney has been known to make in-kind donations to various political entities, particularly in the state of Florida. In 2024, it was reported that Disney had resumed making in-kind donations to Republican lawmakers in Florida, including those who supported the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, also known as the Parental Rights in Education Act. Disney's support came in the form of donations to political committees affiliated with certain lawmakers. For example, the company provided an in-kind donation worth more than $16,000 to Florida Farmers and Ranchers United, a group associated with Rep. Josie Tomkow, who voted for the bill. Additionally, Disney gave about $10,000 each to two committees linked to Republican state senators Jason Brodeur and Joe Gruters, both supporters of the bill.
While Disney paused its political donations in Florida following a dispute with Governor Ron DeSantis over the "Don't Say Gay" law, this pause appears to be over. The company has resumed its in-kind contributions, providing theme park tickets to Democratic state Senator Geraldine Thompson for her fundraiser. This marks a return to the political arena for Disney, indicating that the company is once again actively engaging in political contributions and support for candidates and causes that align with its interests.
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Disney's political donations in Florida
In March 2024, the legal battle between Disney and DeSantis came to an end when DeSantis' hand-picked board agreed to settle the lawsuit brought by Disney. Soon after, Disney resumed its political donations, providing more than $87,000 worth of in-kind, or non-monetary, donations to political committees and Republican lawmakers in April and May. This included donations to Florida Republicans who supported the "Don't Say Gay" bill, such as Rep. Josie Tomkow and state senators Jason Brodeur and Joe Gruters.
The resumption of Disney's political donations in Florida may signal a détente between the company and the DeSantis administration. Notably, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved Disney's $17 billion development deal, allowing the company to invest billions in its Walt Disney World properties over the next 10 to 20 years. As part of this deal, Disney must award half of its construction work to Florida-based businesses, spend $10 million on "attainable housing projects," and donate 100 acres of its land to the tourism district.
While Disney has resumed in-kind donations, it is important to note that Senator Geraldine Thompson, a Democrat, stated that monetary donations have not yet been approved by Disney headquarters. Disney's pause on monetary donations in Florida may be attributed to the company's desire to avoid headlines for political reasons. However, the company's return to political contributions, even if under-the-radar, is not surprising given its history as a significant donor to both Democrats and Republicans in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Disney donated to the Republican Party of Florida, which received nearly $142,000 in in-kind donations from Disney from 2021 to early 2022.
Yes, Disney donated to Florida Republicans who voted for the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Disney also gave about $10,000 each to two committees affiliated with Republican state senators who supported the bill.
Disney gave more than $87,000 worth of in-kind, or non-monetary, donations to political committees in April and May 2024.
Disney provided theme park tickets to Democratic state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, in what is known as an in-kind contribution.
