The Walt Disney Company is no stranger to criticism, but recently CEO Bob Iger participated in an interview on CNBC with David Faber to address a variety of recent topics that have been making headlines. 

During the interview on July 13th, Iger commented on The Walt Disney Company’s plans for the future and addressed some recent news, including the fact that Bob Iger is set to remain CEO through 2026. Here’s what Bob Iger had to say.

The CNBC interview covered a wide range of topics, including the conversation around Disney World’s park attendance, the fate of Disney’s linear networks, and more. Iger was then asked directly about the ongoing political conflict with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Iger provided a comment.

Background

The political conflict started after Disney responded to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics refer to as “Don’t Say Gay”). DeSantis then criticized Disney’s response, and soon the conflict turned to the courts when both Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board filed lawsuits against one another.

The political conflict has resulted in several major changes. One of the biggest changes was the removal of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was replaced with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. In short, the District oversees matters in the counties that Walt Disney World is located in and has the ability to vote on and enact changes that may impact Disney World.

Click here to learn more about the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

Iger’s Response to Recent Claims

One of the current accusations made against Disney comes from both Ron DeSantis and others. Some believe that Disney has a “woke agenda” and accuse the company of “sexualizing children.” In Iger’s recent interview with David Faber, Disney laid out a response. 

Faber pointed out a specific quote from DeSantis, which read, “We put the Company on a pedestal, but they’ve really embraced the idea of getting these sexualized content in the program line that I’m not willing to cross.”

Iger said that so far, Disney has publicly stated that it is “concerned that [DeSantis] has decided to retaliate against the company for a position the company took on pending legislation in that state.”

He then added that “the company was within its right…to speak up on an issue constitutionally protected right of free speech, and to retaliate against the company in a way that would be harmful to the business was not something that we could sit back and tolerate.”

Iger also mentioned that he was not sure “the situation was handled very well” but went on to defend the company’s decision to file a lawsuit. Iger said, “And so, we have filed a lawsuit to protect our First Amendment rights there and to protect our business frankly.”

In reference to Faber’s remarks about the political conflict, Iger noted, “The last thing that I want for the company is for the company to be drawn into any culture wars.” Faber then asserted that Iger can’t be happy when there are “literally Nazis standing outside at the front gates of the park,” which is likely in reference to headlines that there were people holding Nazi flags outside Walt Disney World, along with a sign featuring Ron DeSantis.

Iger responded by saying, in part, “That was horrifying, quite frankly.” He added, “Our goal is to continue to tell wonderful stories and have a positive, positive impact on the world.”

Finally, Iger addressed the claim that Disney is sexualizing children. He said, “The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing children, quite frankly, is preposterous and inaccurate.”

Disney hopes to be “mindful of the environment” and “sensitive to the interest and the needs of the great audiences” that the brand hopes to attract.

Of course, following the interview, the conflict between DeSantis and Disney is far from over. The federal lawsuit filed by Disney is pending, as is the state lawsuit filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. In the meantime, there are steps being taken within the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that may impact Disney.

We will have to wait and see what happens next, and we will continue to share the latest updates. Stay tuned for more Disney news.

“It’s Very Disturbing To Me” — Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Potential Actors Strike

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The post Bob Iger Responds to Accusations that Disney Sexualizes Children first appeared on the disney food blog.