Judge dismisses Disney suit against Ron DeSantis, oversight board

A judge on Wednesday dismissed a Disney lawsuit against Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis claiming he used his authority to punish the firm over its exercise of free speech.

Disney sued DeSantis last year, claiming he led a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" in response to the company's opposition to Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, which critics labeled a "Don't Say Gay" bill.

A federal judge on Wednesday determined that Disney did not have standing and insisted its claims lacked merit, CNN reported. A Disney spokesperson told the outlet that "[t]his is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here."

DeSantis revoked Disney's self-governing status in the former Reedy Creek Improvement District last year and appointed a new board to oversee the area. The reordering also saw the area renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Its territory includes Disney World, as well as land not under the ownership of the Walt Disney Company.

At the height of the row with Disney, DeSantis floated building a prison in the district.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.