Bob Chapek's response to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill

[Angel Ariel]

Except they also donate money to the people who OPPOSE the legislation. Donating to both sides is just as neutral as not donating at all.

Please note that my comment was in response to the idea of Disney “staying out” of “politics in general” - not just this issue. My comment was simply that if one wants to “stay out of politics in general”, then they should stop contributing to candidates. Donating, no matter how you do it, is not staying out of politics.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Except they also donate money to the people who OPPOSE the legislation. Donating to both sides is just as neutral as not donating at all.

I vote for not donating at all. Especially since the amounts of their donations ( according to the link that was posted) are so low as to be pathetic. What is even the point?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I vote for not donating at all. Especially since the amounts of their donations ( according to the link that was posted) are so low as to be pathetic. What is even the point?

Which goes to the crux of Bob C.'s statement. They're probably going to stop.

 

[WizardofDestiny123]

If he really wants Disney to be as "apolitical" as Bob Chapek says he does, then he needs to stop all donations by The Walt Disney Company to political candidates, Republicans, Democrats, and everyone else.

You can't claim political neutrality and still donate to politics, it doesn't work like that.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t have a opinion on this…

But the fact is this is not shocking at all…you can’t hide under a rock and ignore the political trends in any country most definitely including here…

And Disney can’t sit on the fence on this…it’s a major issue to them more than any other company in Florida…whether they want to see it or not.

And this is awful. Just a hornets nest they’re kicking.


All facts…just let it play

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Disney needs to repudiate this legislation and refuse to donate money to CPACs in the future. They should then set up a foundation for LGBTQ+ CMs and their families, and apologize to their staff for this tone-deaf response.

They’re not gonna do that…ever

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Which goes to the crux of Bob C.'s statement. They're probably going to stop.

I don’t see it happening.

They’ll make a “stance” and wait for the dust to settle before starting up again. Treadstone to Blackbriar

 

[BuddyThomas]

 

[durangojim]

I'm reluctant to wade into this one but it seems to me that the bigger issue here is that many people feel unheard and let down by their public officials and politicians. They then look to other things that they admire such as corporations. When a corporation does something that disappoints, infuriates, etc they have no where else to turn so they become angry and try to asssign blame wherever they can. An ironic thing is that we've heard over and over again that "corporations aren't people" and yet that is how the media and the public treat them. I'm curious if people in general would rather have corporations weigh in publicly on every issue or remain silent and still donate to the politicians who they think can increase their bottom line. I have a feeling that if all positions were made public virtually every corporation would have positions that would upset everyone at some time. I highly doubt Disney gave to those who supported this bill because of the bill. Unfortunately the way the game is played in politics these days is that money talks and short of preventing corporate donations I'm not sure how it is fixable.

 

[wdwmagic]

WDI'S Zach Riddley comments

 

[BuddyThomas]

Am I crazy, or was this thread deleted, and now it is mysteriously back……?

 

[Disstevefan1]

To prove our anger with Bob Chapek, we must vote with our wallets and STOP GOING TO WDW

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Which goes to the crux of Bob C.'s statement. They're probably going to stop.

That, though, was one of the issues with the phenomenally badly-worded initial statement that has led to a rolling PR disaster for Disney which is fascinating to watch as a case study for how not to handle a difficult issue. As well as the frankly stupid assertion Disney was doing its part by making movies like Black Panther and Shang-Chi, on the issue of funding Chapek was very vague about looking into how they would manage donations in the future. Sounds more like they will set up an internal committee and hope everyone forgets about the issue, whether that was the intention or not. I honestly suspect it was the intention, as Disney will want to keep buying political influence in Florida as it bets more and more on the state and donations are the best way to do that.

To some extent, Chapek has been proved right that Disney publicly wading in against the bill would be exactly what those who support it wanted. He did it anyway, though, as knee-jerk reaction to the reaction toward his initial statement. Disney as a villain in the governor's narrative as representative of hypocritical liberal Hollywood that's cool with human rights abuses further comes at a time the company is increasing their investment in his state and creating internal friction by trying to force employees to move there from California. For all this, Disney does get a lower tax bill but also a big hit to its image for people who have any position on this bill, whether for or against.

It's all quite remarkable to watch how badly Disney has handled this and how poorly they understand how they can use their influence. I also must say that I don't remember a time when company employees have been so public in their disagreement with Disney leadership over an issue.

 

[Ayla]

Am I crazy, or was this thread deleted, and now it is mysteriously back……?

You are not crazy.

 

[BuddyThomas]

To prove our anger with Bob Chapek, we must vote with our wallets and STOP GOING TO WDW

Based on your past posts, I can only assume that this is sarcasm.

 

[Figgy1]

You are not crazy.

That's still up for debate

 

[CaptainAmerica]

WDI'S Zach Riddley comments

This statement is completely untethered from reality.

That's why this whole "rebellion" is silly. It's based on Bob Chapek supporting a bill that he doesn't support, which doesn't do what people say it does.

 

[Angel Ariel]

This statement is completely untethered from reality.

That's why this whole "rebellion" is silly. It's based on Bob Chapek supporting a bill that he doesn't support, which doesn't do what people say it does.

What about that statement is untethered from reality?

 

[JohnnyAmerican]

Stop doing business in China and bowing to their demands..that'd be a start

 

[ImperfectPixie]

This statement is completely untethered from reality.

That's why this whole "rebellion" is silly. It's based on Bob Chapek supporting a bill that he doesn't support, which doesn't do what people say it does.

If the bill doesn't do what people say it does, then why is it necessary at all? Nothing sexual was taught in grades k-3 prior to the bill being passed.