Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis overturned Disney’s special tax privileges in the state on Friday, sparking a major clash between one of the Republican’s leading figures and a powerful company with deep historical ties to his state.
The move, which sets a 55-year precedent, came after a week-long battle with Disney, which focused heavily on the company’s criticism of an education law signed by Mr DeSantis, who is at the center of the latest cultural battle in America. The Education Act, called the Parental Rights in Education measure – or, for its critics, “Don’t say gay” – restricts classroom teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity in some classes.
“I’m just not comfortable with this type of program being treated specifically in my state,” Mr DeSantis said on Friday.
Broadly seen as revenge, Mr DeSantis’ move vividly illustrates how drastically the Republican Party has transformed since the days when its leaders moved largely in step with the nation’s biggest businesses.
But in the last decade, and especially since the rise of former President Donald J. Trump Republicans increasingly see political benefits in criticizing corporate America, even as large corporations feel growing pressure to take a stand on hot political issues.
“Republicans, who have long had close and warm relationships with US corporations, have begun to be more selective about these relationships and are not afraid to confront even some popular brands that would have been unthinkable before,” the former said. represented by Carlos Courbello, a Republican from Florida. “While it used to be unthinkable for a politician, especially a Florida politician, to stand up to Mickey Mouse, now there is a significant political incentive to do so.
This article will be updated.
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