Federal Judge Dismisses Disney’s Free Speech Lawsuit

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed Disney’s free speech lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wednesday’s ruling deals a setback to the company’s hopes of regaining control of a district that governs Walt Disney World. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor said in his decision that Disney lacked standing in its First Amendment lawsuit against DeSantis. A separate lawsuit over who controls the district is still pending in state court in Orlando. The feud between DeSantis and Disney started in 2022 after the company publicly opposed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Disney plans to appeal the decision.