Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed building of a prison near the Disney World theme park in Orlando. In a recent statement, McCarthy urged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to "sit down and negotiate" with Disney instead of engaging in a political feud that could potentially harm both parties.
The tension between DeSantis and Disney began when the governor signed parental rights legislation back in March 2022 despite opposition from the entertainment giant. The conflict escalated as DeSantis approved legislation that ended Disney's control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District – an action that reportedly led to last-minute agreements aimed at undermining this decision.
In his statement, McCarthy emphasized that if you are going to be an employer in Florida, you should abide by state rules and run your business accordingly. He also advised against dragging politics into these matters: "I don't think [DeSantis] should get into politics."
Addressing Bob Iger, CEO of Disney at the time, Speaker McCarthy suggested reconsidering plans for constructing a prison next to one of America's most beloved family destinations: "The idea of building a prison next to a place where families bring their children is not necessarily the best idea," he said.
As tensions continue between Governor DeSantis and Disney executives, other prominent Republicans have joined Speaker McCarthy in voicing concerns about this heated campaign against one of Florida's largest employers. Some critics argue that such disputes have resulted in lost campaign donations for GOP candidates who would otherwise benefit from support provided by companies like Disney.
With mounting pressure from fellow politicians urging negotiation rather than confrontation, it remains uncertain whether Governor DeSantis will change tactics or continue pursuing legal battles against major corporations operating within his jurisdiction.