DeSantis Set Up to Lose in a Disney Lawsuit, Former Trump Attorney Says
Aformer attorney for President Donald Trump told Newsweek that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would be likely to lose in court if Disney files suit against him over the bill revoking the company's special status in Florida.
"I predict that Disney will sue and win," Jenna Ellis wrote on Friday, shortly after
DeSantis signed a bill terminating the self-governing privileges that Walt Disney World has held since 1967.
The bill is the latest attack on Disney from Florida
Republicans, who have slammed the company for wading into a political debate over a parental rights bill that critics argue hurts LGBTQ children and families.
DeSantis has moved quickly to respond to Disney's opposition to the Parental Rights in Education bill, also dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
The governor on Tuesday urged the state legislature to take up a measure stripping Disney of its special status during lawmaker's special session this week. By Thursday, DeSantis secured the votes needed from both chambers.
Up until now, the Walt Disney World Resort has been exempt from certain regulations and taxes and has been allowed to control construction on its 25,000-acre property, known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek also levies taxes on Disney to pay for the resort's own fire and medical response teams.
The dissolving of the district will require the
two Florida counties that contain the sprawling resort to step in and provide services.
This could lead to a potential double-digit tax increase for residents in Orange and Osceola counties.