Disney is appealing a Florida federal judge’s decision this week to dismiss its case accusing GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis of punishing the entertainment-media conglomerate for exercising its right to free speech.
The company filed the notice to appeal Thursday, one day after the judge dismissed the case.
In ruling against Disney, the judge ruled the company lacked standing to sue DeSantis and that its case against the governor’s oversight board failed on merit, according to CNN Business.
Disney had not “alleged any specific actions the new board took (or will take) because of the Governor’s alleged control,” the judge said.
The feud between Disney and DeSantis started nearly two years ago when Disney publicly opposed bill the governor backed that bans some classroom curriculum on sexual orientation and gender identity.
DeSantis then signed a bill into law giving him new power over the 47-square-mile district that contains Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida, which resulted in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed suit in April 2023.