Disney's CEO has apologized to staff for his earlier silence on Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill as the company pauses all political donations in the state.
In a letter to staff Friday, CEO Bob Chapek apologized for his decision not to speak out against the bill, which would ban schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with younger kids, until it had already been passed.
"Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was," Chapek said, per Variety. "It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chapek announced Disney would develop a "new framework for our political giving" and that pending a review, it will be "pausing all political donations" in Florida. He previously said the company has donated to Republicans and Democrats who have "taken positions on both sides of the legislation."
Earlier this week, Chapek defended not speaking up to condemn the bill, arguing "corporate statements do very little" and that the best way Disney can help "bring about lasting change is through the inspiring content we produce." After backlash, Chapek reversed course two days later, claiming Disney was "opposed to the bill from the outset" but "felt we could be more effective working behind the scenes."
Chapek now says Disney needs "to use our influence" by "standing up for the rights of all," not just by "telling inclusive stories." He also wrote Friday that Disney will be "increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states."
Chapek previously announced he planned to meet with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who labeled Disney a "woke" corporation.
-
August 9 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday's political cartoons include snake oil salesmen, Ghislaine Maxwell's new residence, and more
-
5 hastily redrawn cartoons about redistrictingCartoons Artists take on Donald Trump's draughtsmanship, the White House ballroom, and more
-
Bonnie Blue: taking clickbait to extremesTalking Point Channel 4 claims documentary on the adult performer's attention-grabbing sex stunts is opening up a debate
-
Trump officials reinstating 2 Confederate monumentsSpeed Read The administration has plans to 'restore Confederate names and symbols' discarded in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder
-
Trump nominates Powell critic for vacant Fed seatspeed read Stephen Miran, the chair of Trump's Council of Economic Advisers and a fellow critic of Fed chair Jerome Powell, has been nominated to fill a seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
-
ICE scraps age limits amid hiring pushSpeed Read Anyone 18 or older can now apply to be an ICE agent
-
Trump's global tariffs take effect, with new additionsSpeed Read Tariffs on more than 90 US trading partners went into effect, escalating the global trade war
-
House committee subpoenas Epstein filesSpeed Read The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for its Jeffrey Epstein files with an Aug. 19 deadline
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oilSpeed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymanderSpeed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats
-
Texas Democrats exit state to block redistricting voteSpeed Read More than 51 legislators fled the state in protest of the GOP's plan to redraw congressional districts
