Disney Layoffs Continue Amidst DeSantis Battle

Disney will undertake its second round of layoffs. The layoffs come during a time when the entertainment empire is feuding with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). With layoffs coming this week, Disney is also planning a third round of layoffs.

Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis introduced a new bill to the Florida Legislature that would revoke a last-minute deal Disney offered.

Speaking in Lake Buena Vista, DeSantis vowed that “we have a government of laws, not a government of men.”

It was just last year that the Governor signed a law that would remove the self-governing status of Disney.

This week, as Disney continues its battle with DeSantis, they have announced that their second round of layoffs will total an estimated 4,000 people. At the beginning of the year, Disney announced that it would be removing 7,000 jobs from its workforce, signaling that it’s an effort of reorganization to cut costs by $5.5 billion. The reorganization announcement was made during Bib Iger’s first earnings call since his return as CEO.

Disney officials have also noted that a third round of layoffs are expected to begin before the start of the summer.

With the second round of layoffs, which are expected to be completed by Thursday, several divisions of the company will be affected. This includes ESPN, Disney Entertainment, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. The jobs that will be cut are also based in New York, Connecticut, California, and Burbank.

According to a CNBC report from last week, layoffs are expected to begin at ESPN.

DeSantis has maintained a controversial rivalry with Disney as speculation over his presidential run lingers. During his speech in Lake Buena Vista, DeSantis affirmed that "corporations as big and powerful as Walt Disney Company... are not superior to the laws that are enacted by the People of the State of Florida. They are going to live under the same laws as everyone else."