Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Chandan Khanna/AFP and Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Former President Trump is now accusing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fly too close to the sun with his battle with Disney, setting up a significant test if the GOP base is more viewed by personality or policy.
Why this is important: DeSantis’ meteoric rise has been fueled largely by his championing of the conservative culture war. By denouncing DeSantis’ fight with Disney as a “political stunt,” Trump appeared to oppose an “anti-woke” crusade supported by many MAGA activists.
Driving news: DeSantis unveiled a proposal yesterday to override Disney’s effort to avoid state management of Walt Disney World – suggesting, with a smile, that Florida could build a new state prison next to park.
- The battle with one of Florida’s largest employers began when Disney publicly criticized the GOP’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, which critics called the “Do not Say Gay” bill.
- DeSantis responded with legislation in April 2022 that revoked the special status of Reedy Creek, a municipal district operated by Disney. In late February, he signed a bill that transferred control of the district to the state.
- Board members discovered that the Disney-allied board had approved agreements giving the company authority over much of the district’s future construction — prompting DeSantis’ latest broadside.
What they said: “DeSanctus has been completely destroyed by Disney,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, predicting that the corporation’s next move would be to freeze or withdraw investment in Florida.
- “Meanwhile, this is all unnecessary, a political STUNT!” Trump added.
Approach: Disney is a political and economic force in central Florida: A 2019 study found that Orlando’s tourism industry generated $75.2 billion in annual economic impact, 463,000 jobs and $5.8 billion in additional revenue. state tax.
- Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is considering running for president as an anti-Trump candidate, blasted DeSantis for opposing conservative principles by interfering in “business business.”
- “You have to admit when you screwed up and got it. It happened,” Christie told Semafor this morning.
- Former Vice President Mike Pence also criticized DeSantis for walking away from his fight with Disney in February, even though he expressed approval of the original education bill.
Between the lines: Disney isn’t the only issue where Trump’s political instincts may be more in line with the public.
- Trump relentlessly hammered DeSantis for voting as a member of Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare to help balance the budget — a key position of the pre-Trump GOP.
- Trump is widely believed to be more liberal on abortion than most Republicans, but he has clearly been silent on DeSantis’ recent signing of a six-week abortion ban.
What to watch: Donald Trump Jr. has faced some criticism from conservatives for calling for an end to the Bud Light boycott, which was launched in response to its partnership with a transgender activist.
- That answer could provide a road map for how his father’s position at Disney will be received — even if it takes a political earthquake to unseat Trump’s base.
- A new one CBS News poll found that 76% of Republicans now say it is very or somewhat important to them that Republicans are loyal to Trump – 11 points from January, before his indictment.
