DeSantis could win Republican votes with Disney battle: poll

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing feud with Disney over a state law limiting public school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity could win him key Republican support as he gears up for a potential White House run, a new poll revealed.

DeSantis, 44, has been sparring with the Walt Disney Co. since it denounced the controversial Parental Rights in Education measure, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,005 US adults, 44% of Republican respondents had a more positive view of the governor because of his back-and-forth with the House of Mouse.

DeSantis fanned the flames of the conflict in February, when he signed a law aiming to strip the iconic company of its autonomy over its Orlando theme parks.

The move wasn’t popular with everyone: 73% of respondents — including 63% of Republicans and 82% of Democrats — said they were less likely to back a candidate who penalized a company for political or cultural differences.