Disney CEO Bob Iger says in a new interview that he doesn’t want the company embroiled in “culture wars,” saying he wants Disney to “do what we do best” – tell great stories.
Iger made the comments in an interview with CNBC, defending the company’s opposition to an LGBT-themed bill in Florida but adding that Disney is best when it focuses on its entertainment.
“The last thing that I want for the company is for the company to be drawn into any culture wars,” Iger told CNBC. “We've operated for almost 100 years as a company, making products that we actually are proud of in terms of its impact on the world. I joke every once in a while we're there to manufacture fun.”
Iger said he is “concerned” that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has “decided to retaliate against the company” for its public opposition to a bill that supporters called a parental rights bill and opponents labeled the “don’t say ‘gay’” bill," Politico reports.
“The company was within its rights even though I'm not sure it was handled very well. It was within its right to speak up on an issue,” he said.
Iger then returned to his original point: not wanting Disney involved in cultural battles.
“It's not our goal to be involved in a culture war,” he said. “Our goal was to continue to tell wonderful stories and have a positive impact on the world. You know, we are a preeminent entertainer in the world. And we're proud of our track record there.”
The Disney CEO also pushed back on charges that the company is sexualizing children.
“The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing children, quite frankly, is preposterous and inaccurate,” he said.
The bill that led to the back and forth between Disney and DeSantis impacted what is taught in Florida classrooms. A key portion of the new law reads: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.