- Marco Rubio said lawmakers should avoid looking like they are going after companies for "political purposes."
- Disney has sued Florida Republican Gov. DeSantis, accusing him of targeting the company.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida warned politicians against being seen to go after companies for "political purposes" after Disney sued his fellow Florida Republican, Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Rubio was interviewed on Fox News on Thursday, where he was asked about the legal battle between DeSantis and Disney over the company's special self-governing powers in the state.
Fox host Brian Kilmeade asked Rubio about comments by some Republicans, who criticized DeSantis for targeting the company.
Rubio responded: "I don't have a problem with taking on Disney. I think the fundamental question here is if what we're trying to fix is if Disney had some arrangement that gave them governmental-type powers, I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing."
But, he said, "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 is in charge, then, you know, you may wind up in the crosshairs of the legislature for political purposes to make a statement."
Disney sued DeSantis, who is widely expected to run for president, on Wednesday, saying that the governor was trying to "weaponize government power" by targeting the company.
The lawsuit filed by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. said that DeSantis' actions "threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights."
The legal action came after a yearlong feud, which included Disney speaking out against the state's "Don't Say Gay" bill and DeSantis stripping Disney World of its self-governing status in February.
Rubio, in the Fox News interview, denied any speculation that Disney could leave Florida as a direct result, but said that a repeat of such legal action could drive businesses from the state.
"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 because if we get into a firestorm with them politically, they're gonna come after our business.'"
But when it comes to Disney, Rubio said he doesn't think the company is going to leave Florida. "They've invested a lot of money and time and I think that's going to find itself out."