Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning the Disney corporation not to appeal the ruling dismissing their free speech lawsuit against his administration, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
“They should move on,” DeSantis told reporters in Jacksonville, adding that Disney's decision to file the appeal was a "mistake."
Disney, which operates a massive amusement park resort complex outside Orlando, filed a notice of appeal over Wednesday’s ruling by a Tallahassee federal judge, according to the report.
The magic kingdom argued the ruling set a dangerous precedent by allowing states to weaponize punishment powers against vocal critics.
A feud between the House of Mouse and the governor erupted after Disney released statements critical of DeSantis-backed legislation that sharply limited the right of LGBTQ teachers to express their identity in classrooms.
They say DeSantis retaliated by stripping Disney of its ability to govern its special taxing district in Reedy Creek, and publicly threatened them with other possible sanctions, even building toll roads and prisons near Walt Disney World.
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In addition to the lawsuit, Disney has responded with other tactics, including having the outgoing board members of the special district sign a contract that stripped the incoming board of many of the powers it might have had. They also canceled a project that would have created additional jobs in the state.
In recent months, DeSantis, who lost a bitter presidential primary fight this year after a distant second-place showing in Iowa, has tried to back off his disputes with Disney, publicly urging the corporation to put their fight behind them.
