Disney’s pause on Florida political donations may be over. Disney’s Princess Tiana appears on the invitations to Democratic state Sen. Geraldine Thompson’s fundraiser next month, signaling the return of a significant player in Florida politics.
The Walt Disney Co. provided theme park tickets, Thompson said, in what’s known as an in-kind contribution. This marks Disney’s first contribution to a Florida politician in more than two years. Once a major donor to both Democrats and Republicans, Disney halted political contributions in March 2022 amid controversy over the Parental Rights in Education Act, often referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which restricts instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.
Then-CEO Bob Chapek opposed the bill after facing criticism from fans and the LGBTQ+ community for initially remaining silent. Before the pause, Disney had donated approximately $55 million to political entities in Florida over 28 years, including around $5 million in 2020 and over $2 million in the first two months of 2022, according to state records.
The Friends of Ron DeSantis, a political committee linked to the governor, received more than $100,000 from Disney in 2019. Chapek’s opposition led to a clash with DeSantis, culminating in the state taking control of the district managing Walt Disney World’s services and a series of lawsuits.
Following a settlement in March between the state and Disney, now headed by CEO Bob Iger after Chapek’s departure in late 2022, Disney seems poised to resume its political donations in Florida. Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, noted, “For a company the size of Disney to say that they’re going to take a break and not donate, that you could understand. But to permanently stay out of the influence business? That would have been pretty hard to believe.”
Thompson, D-Orlando, whose district includes Walt Disney World, mentioned that direct political contributions from Disney have not yet resumed. However, she acknowledged that Disney is providing in-kind contributions to her and at least one other unnamed state lawmaker. “While they can’t write checks, this is an opportunity for me to raise funds for my campaign with substantial support from them,” she said. “Not in (cash) dollar amounts, though.”
Disney spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment. According to the fundraiser invitation, a $250 contribution to Thompson’s campaign includes one pass to a Walt Disney World park, while $500 secures two passes, $700 gets three, and $1,000 provides four. All donors receive access to a dinner and fireworks display at the June 7 fundraiser.
The resumption of Disney’s political contributions, even in the form of in-kind support, marks a significant shift in Florida’s political landscape. This development could indicate a broader re-engagement with political activities by Disney in the state. As Disney navigates its relationship with Florida’s political entities, the company’s contributions will likely continue to be a topic of interest and scrutiny.