The legal filings marked an escalation in the battle between the entertainment giant and DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Disney has sued DeSantis in federal court, claiming the governor violated its free speech rights by punishing it for expressing opposition to the law. Meanwhile, the governing district now controlled by DeSantis appointees has sued Disney in state court. Disney filed counterclaims that include asking a state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. The DeSantis allies are arguing that one of the reasons the agreements should be invalidated is they weren't properly publicized.

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Persons: Ron DeSantis ratcheted, DeSantis, Walt Disney, Disney, —, Mike Schneider Organizations: Disney, Central, Governor Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Florida, Central Florida, “, U.S, DeSantis