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☆ Disney's Iger may have to add slowing growth to his turnaround checklist
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Disney is also embroiled in a legal fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over state efforts to control Disney World. The media and entertainment giant's Disney+ streaming service is expected to add a net 1.3 million subscribers in the second quarter, compared with additions of 7.9 million a year ago, according to Visible Alpha. "Star Wars" spin-off "The Mandalorian" was Disney+'s most in-demand series both in the U.S. and worldwide during the quarter, according to data provider Parrot Analytics. The streaming unit's operating loss is expected to widen to about $750 million from a loss of nearly $670 million a year earlier. That would mark the slowest growth since the second quarter of 2021, as the company's cable business also takes a hit from an ad market slowdown.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum in Titusville, May 1, 2023. Ron DeSantis, accusing the Republican leader of doubling down on his "retribution campaign" against the company by signing legislation to void Disney's development deals in Orlando. Disney's amended lawsuit also noted that Florida's Republican-led legislature passed legislation last week targeting Walt Disney World's monorail system. On Friday, the final day of the state's 2023 legislative session, DeSantis signed a bill that included language effectively targeting Disney's development contracts. Linda Stewart, a Democrat representing Florida's 13th Senate district and a staunch critic of DeSantis' actions against Disney, called the feud between DeSantis and Disney "insane" and laid blame with her Republican counterparts.

☆ Two Florida state lawmakers weigh in on the DeSantis vs. Disney feud
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTwo Florida state lawmakers weigh in on the DeSantis vs. Disney feudState representatives Anna Eskamani (D-Florida), and Mike Beltran (R-Florida) join 'Last Call' to give their opposing takes on the ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney World.

☆ Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs bill that could block Disney's real-estate developments as feud intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that allows Disney's new real-estate developments to be canceled. Disney and DeSantis are in a long-running feud over the governor's strict social stance in Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stepped up his feud with Disney, threatening the company's real-estate empire with a fresh bill that could see new developments in the state cancelled. It was basically born out of Disney's arrogance that they would be able to subcontract around the duly enacted laws of the state of Florida," DeSantis said in a press conference Friday. But this was pared back by DeSantis months after Disney pledged to work to repeal a law employees and LGBTQ rights advocates called "Don't Say Gay."

People around the 51-year-old former governor of South Carolina, the daughter of two Indian immigrants, say her willingness to discuss the topic represents a calculated risk while other candidates dodge it. They say it is in part a deliberate bid to seize some attention away from front-runners Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Supporters, donors and some party stalwarts praised Haley for her speech addressing an issue that divides the party. Roberts said she hoped New Hampshire's Republican governor, Chris Sununu, a self-described supporter of abortion rights, jumps into the race. Governor DeSantis, Trump's closest rival who is expected to announce a run within weeks, signed a ban on abortions after six weeks in Florida last month.

Under the bill, which passed the Republican-controlled legislature largely along party lines, the Central Tourism Oversight District Board - whose members are appointed by DeSantis - can cancel any deals signed up to three months before the board's creation. Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, and the Republican governor have been battling since last year, when Disney criticized a new state law banning classroom instruction of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Before DeSantis' appointees took over the board, the company pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limited the new body's action for decades. The new oversight body in April said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board responded with its own lawsuit in a state court, saying it sought to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney.

☆ DeSantis collects wins as Florida Legislature caps whirlwind session, teeing up possible White House bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a conference titled "Celebrate the Faces of Israel" at Jerusalem's Museum of Tolerance, on April 27, 2023. Measures like the restrictive abortion law DeSantis signed could help him in a GOP primary, but may reduce his appeal in a general election. Lawmakers have also passed multiple measures that could help clear DeSantis' path to the White House, if and when he decides to run. "The entire session was focused on Governor DeSantis' run for president," said Jim Clark, a University of Central Florida senior lecturer and political commentator, in an interview. On top of those issues, DeSantis in March waded into the "school choice" debate by signing a bill expanding Florida's school voucher system.

☆ Peter Thiel would back Ron DeSantis — but he isn't ditching Silicon Valley for Miami anytime soon due to high home prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Home prices in the state have been on the rise after tech workers flocked to the state during the pandemic. Rising home prices and property taxes followed. Single-family property taxes in the city increased by 12.6% from 2021 to 2022. "That kind of economic cost is probably not enough to offset all the wokeness in the world," Thiel said on Weiss's podcast. The discussion came up as he and Weiss discussed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the potential Republican presidential nominee.

☆ Hamilton no fan of Florida Governor DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, U.S. - May 4, 2023 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Mike SegarMIAMI, May 4 (Reuters) - It's probably safe to say Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be cheering for Lewis Hamilton this weekend at the Miami Grand Prix and the Mercedes seven-times world champion made it clear he is no supporter of the Republican leader. A long-time champion of LGBTQ+ rights, Hamilton will have a Rainbow Flag on his helmet for Sunday's race and said he stands with the gay, lesbian and transgender community that has come under attack by DeSantis. DeSantis, who has declared Florida is "where woke comes to die", recently passed a law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children, dubbed by critics as the "don't say gay" bill. Hamilton has used his global platform and celebrity to campaign for everything from diversity and racial equality to LGBTQ+ rights. "This isn't the people of Miami making these decisions, it's the people in government and that's the issue.

But as Republican presidential hopefuls including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump crisscross the country, they have instead focused on hot-button issues like immigration and transgender participation in youth sports. A broad majority of voters in both parties believe the debt ceiling presents a good opportunity to debate public policy priorities, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in March. Still, it is unclear how much Republican primary voters know about the debt limit debate - or even care - campaign aides and strategists said. Of nine attendees interviewed by Reuters at the town hall meeting held by Haley, none mentioned the debt ceiling as one of their top concerns. Others have addressed the debt ceiling in the past, but only in general terms.

☆ Analysis: As DeSantis readies 2024 presidential bid, Florida lawmakers hand him fresh ammo
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON, May 3 (Reuters) - Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had counted on a productive state legislative session this spring to turbocharge his coming 2024 presidential bid. With the first presidential nominating contest still nine months away, political analysts say DeSantis has plenty of time to turn his fortunes around. Lawmakers on Tuesday passed an immigration measure that would provide more money for DeSantis’ program for relocating undocumented migrants. POTENTIAL PERILSThe six-week abortion ban remains the thorniest outcome of the session for DeSantis’ national aspirations. The governor did not expressly advocate for the bill, and he signed it without fanfare to replace the current 15-week ban.

☆ Fact Check-Florida’s DeSantis did not order National Guard to block Disney entrances
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not order the U.S. National Guard to block all entrances to Disney World, contrary to claims circulating online that stem from a satirical website. The posts include a link to an article by Mouse Trap News (archive.is/7d2BP) published on April 23, 2023, which makes the claim that DeSantis called the National Guard to block all entrances to Disney World. “For those not aware, Governor DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company have been feuding for the past few months,” the article reads in part. Reuters has reported on tensions between DeSantis and Disney (here), with DeSantis attacking Disney for being “woke” in public remarks and Disney accusing DeSantis and his supporters of punishing the company for exercising freedom of speech when Disney criticized the state’s decision to ban discussions of sexuality and gender identity in classrooms. The claim that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the National Guard to block all entrances to Disney World originated from a satirical website.

[1/2] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis walks outside the Treasury during his visit in London, Britain April 28, 2023. The bill is one of the furthest-reaching efforts yet by U.S. Republicans against sustainable investing efforts, and a clear political message from DeSantis, a likely presidential candidate. We do not want them engaged on these ideological joyrides," said DeSantis just before he signed the bill at a webcast event. Analysts said the legislation goes further than other state anti-ESG bills, even as business groups worry the efforts pose financial risks. There are climate and weather risks that are highly relevant, especially in a state like Florida, and would be captured in our assessment of credit risk," Torgerson said.

☆ 'Godfather of AI' warns that 'bad actors like Putin or DeSantis' could use AI to win wars or manipulate voters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Geoffrey Hinton told MIT Tech Review he worries how AI tools he helped create will be used. He said "bad actors like Putin or DeSantis" could use AI tools in wars and elections. "Look, here's one way it could all go wrong," Geoffrey Hinton told the MIT Tech Review. "We know that a lot of the people who want to use these tools are bad actors like Putin or DeSantis. "I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have," Hinton told the Times.

☆ Florida board picked by DeSantis countersues Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | Tom Hals | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

(Reuters) - A district board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oversee development around Walt Disney Co’s Florida theme parks sued the company on Monday to void “backroom deals” favorable to the entertainment giant. The state court lawsuit escalates tensions between Disney and the Republican governor and likely presidential candidate. It comes in response to a case Disney filed last week in federal district court against DeSantis and members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board. DeSantis who is expected to soon declare his candidacy for U.S. president, has repeatedly attacked “woke Disney” in public remarks. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board maintained that Disney rushed through the agreement before the new board assumed oversight of municipal services and development within the 25,000 acres of land in and around Walt Disney World.

☆ Florida board picked by DeSantis to countersue Disney
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) -An oversight board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday said it would file a countersuit against Walt Disney Co in state court, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters. Slideshow ( 2 images )The decision, which further escalates tensions between Disney and the state of Florida, comes in response to a lawsuit Disney filed last week in federal district court against DeSantis and members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board. The skirmish began last year after Disney criticized a Florida measure banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney’s virtual autonomy in central Florida where the Disney World theme parks attract millions of visitors each year. “The district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business,” Martin said.

☆ DeSantis gave a 'low-wattage' and 'horrendous' speech in London as presidential polling slides: 'Nobody in the room was left thinking, 'this man's going places.''
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Governor Ron DeSantis finished off a four-stop international tour in London on Friday. One business person, who remained unnamed, told Politico that DeSantis's message wasn't "presidential" and said he stared at his feet in the face of UK industry titans. "There wasn't any stardust," the second anonymous attendee told Politico. Sources told the outlet in March that Trump's election team will be focusing on using DeSantis' "personality factor" in a political brawl between the two. When asked about his drop in the polls by The Wall Street Journal, DeSantis blamed it on the fact that he isn't a presidential candidate yet.

☆ US Senator Tim Scott teases May 22 announcement on presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Tim Scott plans to announce his decision on entering the 2024 presidential on May 22, according to media reports on Sunday, in a potential challenge to former President Donald Trump for the party's nomination. He made the announcement at a town hall in South Carolina on Sunday, according to media reports. Scott launched a presidential exploratory committee earlier this month, which allowed him to raise his national profile and continue fundraising with fewer regulatory limitations than a formal campaign. If Scott formally announces his intent to enter the presidential race, he will join former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the quest for the Republican nomination. Former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy, conservative talk radio host Larry Elder and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson are also Republican contenders.

☆ Biden takes his re-election pitch to financial backers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden made his pitch for re-election on Friday night to a small group that may prove essential to his candidacy: the wealthy. Biden may need to raise and spend more than $1 billion to run a competitive campaign in 2024, allies believe. A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday showed that a majority of registered voters do not want either Biden or Trump, 76, to run again. Instead, Biden has mostly filled his days with traditional Oval Office duties, including hosting South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit. On Saturday, Biden is due to deliver light-hearted remarks at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

☆ Experts say Disney has strong case against Desantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsExperts say Disney has strong case against DesantisPostedNow that the year-long war of words between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Co has landed in the courts, the Republican leader might find his verbal barbs directed at the entertainment giant coming back to bite, say legal experts Ken Paulson and Leslie Kendrick.

The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a near-total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. NORTH CAROLINA: House Republicans have introduced a bill to ban abortion from conception, except to preserve the life or health of the mother. The Senate tabled discussion of a near-total abortion ban on Thursday after it had been approved by the House. PROTECTIONSCALIFORNIA: A Democratic state senator has introduced a bill to protect doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients in other states. ILLINOIS: Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker in January signed a law protecting abortion providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks waged by other states.

☆ Bud Light sales reportedly dropped 17% following anti-trans marketing backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Bud Light sales took a hit after the brewer partnered with a trans TikTok influencer, WSJ reports. The data showed Bud Light sales dropping 17% in the week of April 15 compared to the same week last year. Bud Light Vice President of Marketing Alissa Heinerscheid took a leave of absence following the backlash. Bud Light owner Anheuser-Busch has also said Heinerscheid will be replaced with with Todd Allen, the global vice president of Budweiser. Bud Light isn't the only brand that's been recently hit with anti-trans backlash.

☆ DeSantis' tough words may come back to haunt him in Disney lawsuit, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Tom Hals | Thomson Reuters | Tom Hals Is An Award-Winning Reporter With Years Of Experience Working In Asia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Florida Governor and likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks as part of his Florida Blueprint tour in Pinellas Park, Florida, U.S. March 8, 2023. Disney on Wednesday sued DeSantis to prevent the state from ending the company's virtual autonomy in central Florida where it has its theme parks. Disney said DeSantis' actions amounted to a "targeted campaign of government retaliation." Disney claimed in its lawsuit that the state adopted a "targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech." DeSantis' tough talk toward Disney is cited throughout the lawsuit, including 18 quotes referring to some form of "woke Disney."

☆ DeSantis says Disney lawsuit has no merit, is political
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, April 27 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday brushed off a lawsuit against him by Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), describing it as politically motivated and accusing the company of lacking accountability and transparency. But he faced questions on the lawsuit filed against him by Disney, which has accused his administration of "weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment" in a dispute over special provisions for the Disney World theme part in central Florida. "I don't think the suit has merit, I think it's political," DeSantis told reporters at a news conference. Florida has passed legislation ending special conditions that gave Disney virtual autonomy in the Florida district where Disney World is located and where it attracts millions of visitors a year. "They had no transparency, no accountability, none of that, and that arrangement was not good for the state of Florida," DeSantis said.

[1/2] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the 2023 NHGOP Amos Tuck Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., April 14, 2023. REUTERS/Brian SnyderApril 26 (Reuters) - In his face-off with Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has frequently adopted the pose of a swaggering gunfighter out of the Wild West. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” DeSantis boasts to conservative audiences nationwide as he prepares to launch his 2024 presidential bid. But as his clash with Disney escalates, so does the political risk for DeSantis and his nascent campaign. Billionaire Ken Griffin of Citadel Securities last year remarked that DeSantis’ actions amounted to “retaliation against corporate America.”“The war with Disney made some sense for a time in the context of Governor DeSantis’ presidential aspirations.

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