Attorneys for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have requested a trial involving Disney to be postponed until mid-2025, after the GOP presidential nomination race and the November 2024 general election. In a court filing on Tuesday, DeSantis’ attorneys and his appointees to the board governing Disney World proposed an August 4, 2025, trial date.
The lawsuit filed by Disney claims that its free speech rights were violated when DeSantis took over its governing district in retaliation for opposing the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that the governor supported. Disney, on the other hand, proposed a trial date of July 15, 2024, which coincides with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The two sides also disagreed on when a motion should be filed for a decision in favor of one side without a full trial. Disney suggested filing the motion for summary judgment in April 2024, while DeSantis’ attorneys argued it should be a year later, in April 2025.
Recently, DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District requested the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, put it on hold, or drop them as defendants.
The dispute between Disney and DeSantis began last year when the company publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” policy. In response, DeSantis took over the district through legislation and appointed a new board to oversee municipal services for Disney World. However, the company had made agreements with previous board members who were Disney supporters, stripping the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction. In retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers repealed those agreements through legislation.
Disney sued DeSantis and the five-member board, seeking to void the governor’s takeover and the actions of the new oversight board, claiming that they violated the company’s free speech rights. In turn, the board sued Disney in state court to maintain control over construction and design at Disney World.
The trial date and other matters will be decided by the court in the coming months.
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press.
What are the proposed trial dates suggested by Disney and DeSantis’ legal team, and how do they differ
Attorneys representing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have requested a trial involving Disney to be postponed until mid-2025, after the GOP presidential nomination race and the November 2024 general election. DeSantis’ legal team and his appointees to the board governing Disney World proposed an August 4, 2025, trial date in a court filing on Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed by Disney, argues that its free speech rights were violated when DeSantis took over its governing district in retaliation for opposing the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that the governor supported. However, Disney proposed a trial date of July 15, 2024, which coincides with the Republican National Convention.
Additionally, the two sides have disagreed on the timing of filing a motion for a decision in favor of one party without a full trial. Disney suggested filing the motion for summary judgment in April 2024, while DeSantis’ attorneys argued for April 2025.
Recently, DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have requested the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, put it on hold, or drop them as defendants.
The conflict between Disney and DeSantis began when the company publicly opposed a state law prohibiting classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” policy. In response, DeSantis assumed control of the district through legislation and appointed a new board to oversee municipal services for Disney World. However, the company had previously made agreements with board members who were Disney supporters, depriving the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction. In retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers repealed those agreements through legislation.
Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the five-member board, seeking to invalidate the governor’s takeover and the actions of the new oversight board, claiming that they violated the company’s free speech rights. In turn, the board sued Disney in state court to maintain control over construction and design at Disney World.
The court will determine the trial date and address other related matters in the upcoming months.
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It’s unfortunate to see the trial involving Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis being delayed until 2025. However, in the midst of the presidential nomination race, it is not surprising to witness such legal proceedings taking a backseat.
The delay of the trial involving Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis until 2025 amidst the presidential nomination race raises questions about the significance of the case and its potential impact on the political landscape.