DeSantis Advocates for 2025 Start to Disney Trial, Post Elections

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legal team is advocating for a delay to the trial involving Disney until mid-2025, following the conclusion of the GOP presidential nomination race and the outcome of the general elections in November 2024.

In a federal court document submitted on Tuesday in Tallahassee, lawyers for the Florida governor, who is vying for the Republican nomination, alongside his appointees on Disney World’s governing board, suggested a trial date of Aug. 4, 2025.

The lawsuit from Disney alleges a violation of its freedom of speech rights by the governor’s takeover of its management district as retaliation for Disney’s opposition to the controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law championed by DeSantis. Disney has suggested a trial date of July 15, 2024, coinciding with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

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Both parties also have divergent views on the timeline for filing a motion requesting the judge to rule in favor of one side without a full trial. Disney proposed filing a summary judgment motion in April 2024, whereas DeSantis’ lawyers advocate for April 2025.

DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District earlier sought the dismissal of the lawsuit, a stay, or their removal as defendants.

A year-long disagreement between DeSantis and Disney culminated in the former’s appointees taking control of the Disney World governing board earlier this year. Disney had publicly protested against a state law that banned lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grade classrooms, referred to as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law, facing substantial internal and external pressure.

As a consequence, DeSantis, backed by the Republican-dominated legislature, seized control of the district and installed a new supervisory board for municipal services at the extensive theme parks and hotels. Prior to the arrival of the new board, the company had made agreements with Disney-supportive members of the former oversight board, which curtailed the new board’s power over design and construction.

This led to DeSantis and Florida lawmakers repealing these agreements through legislation.

Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the five-member board, requesting a federal judge to nullify the governor’s takeover of the theme park district and the new oversight board’s decisions, claiming that they breached the company’s freedom of speech rights.

The board counter-sued Disney in state court in an effort to retain control over Disney World’s construction and design.

You can follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP.

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More about DeSantis Disney Trial

• Ron DeSantis Official Profile
• Disney Corporate
• Understanding the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
• Florida Legislation
• GOP Presidential Nomination Race
• 2024 General Elections