Gov. Ron DeSantis expands his war with Disney by targeting the Magical Kingdom's self-governing status

• DeSantis announced that he has asked state legislators to consider terminating Walt Disney World's self-governing status.
• The move escalates a war with the company over legislation known by critics as "Don't Say Gay."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he has asked state legislators to consider terminating Walt Disney World's self-governing status, escalating a war between state Republicans and the company's namesake amusement park over legislation known by critics as "Don't Say Gay."

DeSantis told reporters on Tuesday that he is expanding the mission for Florida legislators meeting this week to consider the congressional reapportionment plan for the next 10 years. Along with considering the congressional map, they will consider termination of all special districts enacted in Florida before 1968, he said.

"And that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District," he said to applause, singling out the special taxing and governance district for Walt Disney World in Orlando.

The 25,000-acre district, created in 1967 by the Florida legislature, oversees land use and environmental protections within its borders, provides essential public services, and operates and maintains its public roadways and bridges.

"Disney is a guest in Florida," tweeted state GOP Rep. Randy Fine. "Today, we remind them."

Fellow Republican state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, who describes himself on Twitter as an "America First Republican" who is running for Congress, tweeted: "Just got to Tallahassee—the doomsday for @Disney begins."

A Disney spokesperson did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

DeSantis' action follows Disney CEO Bob Chapek's announcement in early March that the company would halt donations to political campaigns in the state over the "Parental Rights in Education" legislation, which DeSantis signed on March 28.

Opponents of the bill call it "Don't Say Gay" because it restricts classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools, and parents could sue school districts for violating the bill.

The legislation also requires schools to notify parents if a student's mental, emotional, or physical health services change, a provision that LGBTQ+ advocates say could result in "outing" students to their parents and potentially endangering them. The bill allows school personnel to withhold this information if they believe there is a risk of abuse.

Chapek initially faced criticism for not opposing the Florida bill more aggressively, and some employees staged a walkout in response. Chapek then announced the withdrawal of campaign contributions a day after DeSantis called Disney a "woke" corporation for opposing the legislation.