GOP contender for 2024 criticizes DeSantis for Disney dispute.

Miami GOP Mayor Francis Suarez Criticizes Gov. Ron DeSantis Over Disney Feud

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a possible 2024 presidential candidate, has criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over his handling of the feud with Disney. Speaking with NewsNation, Suarez lamented the lost business opportunities caused by Disney’s decision to withdraw a large investment in the state. The Miami mayor accused DeSantis of having a “personal vendetta” that is now costing the state major business opportunities.

DeSantis’s Approach Criticized

Suarez joined several of DeSantis’s 2024 rivals in criticizing the Florida governor’s approach, according to the Hill. He said that DeSantis took an issue that was a winning issue for everyone, which was parental rights for K through third-graders, and turned it into something that was potentially a personal vendetta. Suarez compared DeSantis to President Joe Biden, saying that both men have not spent much time in the private sector, and he wondered if that influenced their thinking on some of these issues.

Disney Still Plans Extensive Investment in Florida

Although Disney canceled its new campus in Florida, the company still plans extensive investment in the Sunshine State. In an internal memo announcing the decision, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said that the company has plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next 10 years. D’Amaro thanked the teams who call Central Florida home and all of the Cast Members around the world for their continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.

Lost Business Opportunities

Suarez expressed his disappointment over the lost business opportunities caused by Disney’s decision to halt plans to build a large campus in Central Florida. The project would have brought roughly 2,000 jobs to the state. Suarez said that DeSantis’s personal vendetta was now costing his state major business opportunities. He compared DeSantis to President Joe Biden, who canceled the Keystone pipeline and other pipelines out of spite, costing Americans 42,000 jobs.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen how DeSantis will respond to the criticism from Suarez and his other rivals. However, it is clear that the feud with Disney has cost the state of Florida major business opportunities. Hopefully, the state can still benefit from Disney’s extensive investment plans in the coming years.