Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) cautioned against future feuds with business akin to the one between Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and the Walt Disney Company.
"I think where it gets problematic in the eyes of some people is when you start creating the idea, and I'm not saying we're there yet as a state, but the idea that somehow, like if you run crossways with us politically, whoever's in charge, then you may wind up in the crosshairs of the legislature," Rubio told Fox and Friends.
DESANTIS SAYS DISNEY LAWSUIT WITHOUT MERIT AND IS 'POLITICAL'
"I do worry that if this happens too many times, businesses that are thinking about coming to Florida are saying, 'Maybe we don't want to go there.'"
— The Recount (@therecount) April 27, 2023
— Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R-FL) legal battle with Disney and his clashes with the company pic.twitter.com/etsWYPkI28
The senator noted that he "didn't have a problem" with DeSantis's push to nix the company's special tax status.
"I think the fundamental question here is, what we're trying to fix is the fact that Disney governmental type powers. I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing," Rubio said.
DeSantis and Disney have been at odds since last year after Disney came out against the DeSantis-backed Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics denounced as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The company later publicly vowed to work to nix the law. Shortly thereafter, DeSantis came out in support of scrapping Disney's special tax district.
Earlier this year, Florida moved to take over the district after determining that stripping its special status could hike taxes on locals. Then it was revealed that Disney quietly cut a deal with the prior board that effectively stripped the new one of much of its power. The new board then moved to void the agreement.
This triggered a lawsuit from Disney earlier this week, alleging that DeSantis and his allies weaponizing government power against the company as "retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint."DeSantis shrugged off the suit as "political" and expressed confidence he will prevail.
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DeSantis's dispute with the company has drawn criticism from potential 2024 rivals, including former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador and former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC), Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH), and former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), among others.
Rubio's colleague, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), recently voiced hope that "cooler heads will prevail and Disney will say let’s go back to being in a company that gives us all great experiences."