Newsom hits DeSantis over Disney withdrawal, invites expansion of company in California
Brady Knox
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Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) chided Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) over Disney’s announcement that it would be canceling a large project in Florida, inviting the company to remain in California instead.
On Thursday, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced in an internal memo that the company was canceling the construction of a new campus in central Florida that would have relocated nearly 2,000 jobs from California to Florida. Newsom took to Twitter to praise the decision. He placed blame on DeSantis’s “bigoted policies.”
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“Turns out, bigoted policies have consequences,” the California governor tweeted. “That’s 2,000+ jobs that will be welcomed back with open arms to the Golden State. Thank you for doing the right thing, @Disney.”
https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1659264971774259205?s=20
Newsom further praised Disney’s decision in a press release obtained by the Washington Examiner.
“Authoritarian policies have consequences,” he said. “This announcement is a victory for California, and the tens of thousands of Disney employees who know they can live in a state where they are respected and safe. Disney has invested billions of dollars in California, and we look forward to their increased investment and growth in our state.”
Newsom has grown increasingly critical of DeSantis in the past year, going so far as to take a field trip to Florida to denounce him and paying for advertisements within the state to invite disaffected residents to move to California.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined his governor in praising Disney’s move.
“As the proud representative of the Burbank, Glendale, and Hollywood area, I’m glad to see Disney keep more of its talented team in CA,” he tweeted. “You are always welcome here.”
https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1659279734700666894?s=20
DeSantis’s office acted unfazed by the news.
“Disney announced the possibility of a Lake Nona campus nearly two years ago. Nothing ever came of the project, and the state was unsure whether it would come to fruition,” Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for DeSantis, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
“Given the company’s financial straits, falling market cap, and declining stock price, it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures,” he added.
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Though Disney canceled its new campus in Florida, the internal memo announcing the decision stressed that it still planned extensive investment in the Sunshine State.
“I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next 10 years. I hope we’re able to do so. We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all of our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products and for delivering world-class entertainment for our guests,” D’Amaro said in the memo.