On Monday, NBC’s Today show lamented how Disney was supposedly “thrust into the culture wars” when the woke corporation chose to hurl political attacks at Florida’s new Parental Rights in Education law preventing young grade school students from being indoctrinated with radical classroom discussions of sexual orientation. Only once did the network morning show actually mention the real name of the state legislation, the rest of the time it was tagged with the false left-wing smear of being the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
“Culture clash. Republican lawmakers in Florida targeting Disney, threatening to revoke the company’s special status over its opposition to that controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law,” co-host Savannah Guthrie proclaimed at the show open. Minutes later, Hoda Kotb teased the audience with a new segment. “Coming up, the culture war that’s erupted in Florida, pitting Republican lawmakers against Disney. The new controversy over the state’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.”
The report was introduced in the 8:30 a.m. ET half hour. ET half hour, Guthrie once more uttered the partisan phrase, but at least acknowledged “critics” were the ones using it: “…fallout is growing over Florida’s controversial new law, called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ by critics.”Craig Melvin, the co-host, joined in on the conversation by going berserk “Yeah, the state’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis lashing out at Disney, one of the state’s biggest drivers of tourism, over its opposition to the law.”
Reporting live from Orlando, correspondent Kerry Sanders breathlessly hyped: “You know, this is unprecedented. No Florida governor has ever taken on Disney because the power of the mouse is unparalleled in this state.”
It was funny that the headline of the segment depicted Disney as the victim. “Disney Thrust Into Culture Wars.” Sanders wailed: “This morning, The so-called “happiest” place on Earth is now in the middle of culture war. Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis targeting Disney, the state’s largest single site employer.”
At no point in the coverage was it ever suggested that Disney was “targeting” DeSantis or those who support the popular legislation.
Sanders mentioned briefly the exact name of this measure but did not include the disgusting left-wing label.
The Governor angry at Disney’s opposition to the state’s controversial new Parental Rights In Education legislation, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.The ban prohibits discussion in the classroom about sexual orientation or gender identity, from kindergarten to third grade.
NBC offered no fact-check of the dishonest framing by pointing out that the law “does not ban the word ‘gay’ in school settings” and “does not ban casual discussions of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.”
Instead, Sanders touted Disney’s blatantly partisan lobbying effort: “In a statement, Disney says, ‘Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed in the legislature or struck down in the courts.’”
The reporter then fretted that “conservatives” were politicizing the issue: “It’s all amid the backdrop of cultural and political battles over the law and issues of representation, which conservatives hope to make a central issue of the coming midterm election. DeSantis fundraising off the fight.”
Later, Sanders supported Disney opponents who were under pressure to pass legislation. But he didn’t examine their political motives.
After protests by cast members and walkouts, Disney did not do much to stop a bill from being signed. Disney’s CEO apologizing to employees last month in a letter, writing, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down.”
The radical left demanded Disney cave to woke ideology and jump head first into the “culture wars” by engaging in partisan lobbying against legislation that enjoys broad public support, yet NBC pretends as if the powerful media conglomerate is somehow a victim.
Disney doesn’t even own NBC, it owns ABC, which airs TodayShow competitor Good Morning America.
NBC’s dishonest smear of Florida’s parental rights legislation was brought to viewers by Subaru and Citi. Let these advertisers know your opinion about them sponsoring this content.
This is the complete transcript of April 4, 2005 coverage.
7:01 AM ET TEASE
SAVANNAH GUTRIE: A culture clash. Republican lawmakers in Florida targeting Disney, threatening to revoke the company’s special status over its opposition to that controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law. Here’s how Disney responded this morning and what that might mean for you on your next Orlando trip.
7:20 AM ET TEASE
HODA KOTB: Coming up, the culture war that’s erupted in Florida, pitting Republican lawmakers against Disney. The new controversy over the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. What impact could this have on the famous theme park?
7:33 AM ET SEGMENT
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Well, also this morning, fallout is growing over Florida’s controversial new law, called “Don’t Say Gay” by critics.
CRAIG MELVIN: Yeah, the state’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis lashing out at Disney, one of the state’s biggest drivers of tourism, over its opposition to the law.
KOTB: NBC’s Kerry Sanders joins us now from Orlando with the latest. Kerry, it’s good to be here.
KERRY SANDERS : Good morning. It is a first. Because of Disney’s unparalleled power, no Florida governor has taken on Disney. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won’t be beaten.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Disney Thrust Into Culture Wars]
Today, we see the “happiest spot on Earth” plunge into the middle a culture war. Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis targeting Disney, the state’s largest single site employer.
GOV. GOV. [R-FL]They are placed on a pedestal and this corporation is not treated the same as everyone else. The legislature is now trying to reconsider these privileges.
SANDERS: The Governor angry at Disney’s opposition to the state’s controversial new Parental Rights In Education legislation, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The law bans all classroom discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation from kindergarten to third grade.
In a statement, Disney says, “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed in the legislature or struck down in the courts.”
It’s all amid the backdrop of cultural and political battles over the law and issues of representation, which conservatives hope to make a central issue of the coming midterm election. DeSantis is funding the fight. Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz tweeting, “I’ll tell you how to trap this rodent.” And commentators taking aim.
LAURA INGRAHAM [FOX NEWS]: Why not just rename the roller coaster, you know, “Sex Mountain.”
SANDERS: DeSantis is suggesting a repeal of Disney’s special status, established by a 1967 law. This created an exclusive self-governing area of 43 miles around Disney World. The area is nearly twice the size Manhattan. Disney now has its own security team, including building, zoning and fire departments.
PROTESTERS – Say Gay! Protest! Speak gay
SANDERS Disney’s CEO apologizing to employees last month in a letter, writing, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down.”
As for the escalating feud, Maryland’s Republican governor criticizing DeSantis, calling it a crazy fight.
GOV. GOV. [R-MD]Freedom of Speech:
KOTB: Okay, so Kerry, break it down, what would it mean if Disney’s special status is revoked?
SANDERS: It would ultimately be money and time. Example, I think any homeowner can understand this, if you’ve ever tried to do a renovation at your house or do an add-on, you have to go through that very laborious process with the building department to get all the paperwork done. Right now Disney doesn’t have to deal with that. But if they lost their status, they’d have to go through the local government, which would slow the process down. And of course they’re constantly building out at Disney. Hoda?
KOTB: Kerry Sanders, please go. Kerry, I’m grateful.
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