President Biden gave a speech filled with jokes roasting himself, Fox News, and several political figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in regards to the ongoing battle with the Walt Disney World Resort.
Biden Pokes Fun at DeSantis
At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held last night, President Biden delivered a speech full of jokes mocking or poking fun at several political figures, including himself.
Of DeSantis, Biden said, “I had a lot of jokes planned about Ron DeSantis, but Mickey Mouse beat the hell out of me, got there first,” to which the room erupted in laughter. Check out the video below:
This joke is in reference to the recent news of the ongoing feud between Governor DeSantis and The Walt Disney World Company, specifically the Walt Disney World Resort located in Florida.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District held a board meeting today to pass further legislation against measures taken by the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Take a look at our coverage here.
The White House Correspondent’s Dinner is held annually in the spring featuring a comedian host who often roasts the administration along with its agenda, accomplishments, and failures. The President traditionally fires back with a lengthy comedic speech of his own.
DeSantis and The Walt Disney World Resort
Governor DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company initially clashed over the corporation’s opposition to a much-debated and controversial Florida law regarding classroom instruction and discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, alongside various other recent state laws and proposals in a similar vein.
Bob Chapek was Chief Executive Officer of Disney at the time and initially remained silent and passive on the issue — until massive internal criticisms from cast members and controversy over Disney’s practice of making hefty political contributions to campaigns and individuals allegedly against their own stated human principles came into focus.
In an apparent act of retribution over this expression of dissent, the Governor moved forward with various verbal and legal assaults on Disney, including the dissolution of Reedy Creek and transfer of power directly under his control. DeSantis argues he is attacking a rather vague perception of something he calls “woke politics,” invading the state. He further says he aims to put the people of Florida first through his actions: “Disney has gotten away with special deals from the state of Florida for way too long. It took a look under the hood to see what Disney has become to truly understand their inappropriate influence.”
The Governor insists he will double down on efforts to punish Disney through methods both in the Legislature and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board. Notably, he promised to hike Disney’s hotel taxes and institute tolls on the roads around Walt Disney World Resort property.
Most recently, both sides have declared lawsuits against one another, with Disney opting to take it to the federal level.
Take a look at some of our recent coverage about this feud below:
- Governor DeSantis Says Disney is ‘Putting Their Thumb in the Eye of Voters,’ Florida Legislature Will Pass Bill Revoking Reedy Creek Agreement
- Federal Judge in Disney-DeSantis Lawsuit Recuses Himself, New Arbiter Will Preside
- Florida Attorney General ‘Puzzled’ By Disney Naming Governor DeSantis in Lawsuit, Claims It’s To ‘Shut Him Up’
What do you think of Biden’s speech and the current events with DeSantis? We’d like to see your opinions in the comments below.
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