FANTASYLAND FRAUD: Ron DeSantis silent about lavish Walt Disney World wedding
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been vocal in his criticism of theme park giant, Disney Corp. over their objections to the state’s “Don’t Say, Gay Bill,” yet conveniently leaves out that little tidbit that he got married at Walt Disney World in yet another example of flagrant Republican hypocrisy.
I find this especially hilarious: DeSantis went to battle with Disney, but he didn't mention he got married there #RemoveRon #DeSantisDestroysFlorida #TeamCrist https://t.co/GeDAnymZ71 via @businessinsider
— Lesley Abravanel 🪩 (@lesleyabravanel) November 4, 2022
According to the marriage license, DeSantis married his current wife Casey at the resort in September 2009 – with a reception at Epcot Center. Business Insider reported:
Dressed in his white, decorated Naval uniform, DeSantis exchanged wedding vows with Casey DeSantis, whose maiden name was Black, at the Grand Floridian’s wedding pavilion, a chapel with arched windows overlooking Cinderella’s Castle and the Seven Seas Lagoon. The reception was held at Epcot’s Italy Isola, in a nod to the couple’s Italian heritage.
Happy Anniversary to my beautiful wife, @CaseyDeSantis! I am so thankful for our marriage every day, you are an amazing wife, mother and friend. Love you so much! pic.twitter.com/uxbOGFGxqe
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) September 26, 2022
Earlier this year, DeSantis waged a public war with the family entertainment company in retaliation to CEO Bob Chapek criticizing the anti-LGBTQ Parental Rights in Education legislation, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Disney faced backlash from LGBTQ employees, who staged a walkout in protest of the company’s silence on the issue. Prompting action from the Chief Executive, who told shareholders, “We were opposed to the bill from the outset, but we chose not to take a public position on it because we thought we could be more effective working behind-the-scenes, engaging directly with lawmakers—on both sides of the aisle,” Chapek said at the meeting.
“But, despite weeks of effort, we were ultimately unsuccessful. I called [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis this morning to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families.”
Chapek also pledged $5 million in donations to LGBTQ rights organizations like the Human Rights Campaign.
Rumors have clouded the Disney brand, with some alleging the founder was antisemitic. At the National Board of Review awards ceremony in 2014, Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep described Walt Disney as a man who “had some racist proclivities” and “supported an antisemitic industry lobbying group and [was] a gender bigot,” Hollywood Reporter wrote.
While the issue has been debated, it would explain why Disney standing with the marginalized would be seen as “woke,” to someone like DeSantis who has been less than urgent to condemn rising antisemitic violence in Florida.
When it comes to Republicans, deflection and hypocrisy go hand in hand. Recently Florida GOP Rep. Randy Fine was called out for bragging about booking a Disney Cruise – despite publicly criticizing the company and praising Governor DeSantis for removing its self-governing status.
Another example of “Do as I say, not as I do,” when it comes to the GOP
Original reporting by Kimberly Leonard at Business Insider.Â
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