Disney drops most claims in lawsuit against DeSantis, except free speech claim

Disney has dropped most claims in its federal lawsuit against Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, except free speech, alleging that he politically retaliated against the entertainment giant.  

Last week, Disney requested the other claims in the lawsuit be dropped so it could focus on a separate, state-level lawsuit in Florida, related to contracts in the state.

“We will continue to fight vigorously to defend these contracts, because these agreements will determine whether or not Disney can invest billions of dollars and generate thousands of new jobs in Florida,” a Disney spokesperson told CNBC.

Disney World had self-governing privileges that DeSantis revoked earlier this year after the company opposed a bill he signed into law last year that restricted classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger earlier this month, at a shareholder's meeting, called DeSantis' decision on Disney World, a mega amusement park in central Florida earlier this year, “anti-business.”

DeSantis, also a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has sought to delay the lawsuit until after the election.