Republicans Ripping DeSantis For Feuding With Disney Took Company’s Campaign Cash

Prominent Republicans who have criticized Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ actions against The Walt Disney Company have received significant donations from the media giant’s corporate political action committee, according to campaign finance records published by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

DeSantis and Disney have been at odds since early 2022, when the Florida legislature passed a law signed by DeSantis stripping Disney of municipal powers within its special district after Disney criticized Florida’s Parental Rights In Education Law. Recently, several top Republicans have come out opposing the governor’s feud with the company, arguing that it’s bad for business, at a time when DeSantis is widely expected to run for president in 2024; however, many of these Republicans raked in campaign contributions from Disney executives and employees.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday that DeSantis should “sit down and negotiate” with the company, rather than pursue legislative action against them. McCarthy has also been the recipient of Disney PAC funds, with the McCarthy Victory Fund, a joint fundraising group with Congressional Republicans, receiving $47,500 since 2015, per the FEC.