In a recent poll, Disney’s reputation has taken a significant hit following an intense and polarizing year-long feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The dispute between the entertainment giant and the governor began in 2022 and centered around Disney’s self-governing privileges and the governor’s Parental Rights in Education bill. The controversy escalated further when Disney accused the bill of lacking inclusivity for the LGBTQ community. According to an Axios-Harris Poll, Disney’s reputation has fallen 12 spots since the start of its entanglement with DeSantis, now landing the corporation in the 77th position.
Disney is among the top 10 most politically polarized companies in this year's Axios Harris Poll 100.
Disney gained favor with Democrats after tangling with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis but took a large reputation hit with Republicans.https://t.co/zofhf1P9sd
— Axios (@axios) May 23, 2023
The Disney-DeSantis Feud: The ongoing clash between Disney and Governor DeSantis has not only generated headlines but has also had a profound impact on Disney’s standing in the public eye. The corporation’s decision to challenge the governor’s Parental Rights in Education bill has ignited fierce debate and division, resulting in a significant drop in its reputation. While Disney has long been regarded as a beloved entertainment brand, its involvement in contentious political matters has led to a loss of public support.
According to the Axios-Harris Poll, which ranks companies based on their polarizing nature, Disney now holds the unenviable title of being the fifth most polarizing company out of the 100 companies assessed. The ranking is determined by measuring the disparity in assessments between Republican and Democratic respondents. The criteria for evaluation include character, trust, culture, and other relevant factors.
The poll’s findings highlight the profound impact of political controversies on corporate reputations in today’s polarized climate. Disney, once celebrated for its family-friendly content and magical experiences, now finds itself caught in the crossfire of political polarization, resulting in a significant blow to its reputation.
The fallout from the year-long feud between Disney and Governor Ron DeSantis has had a detrimental effect on the entertainment giant’s reputation. Disney’s decision to challenge the governor’s Parental Rights in Education bill and its subsequent accusations regarding inclusivity have sparked intense debate and division. As a result, Disney has experienced a significant decline in public support, falling 12 spots in reputation rankings since the feud began. The company’s inclusion as the fifth most polarizing company in the Axios-Harris Poll underscores the impact of political controversies on corporate standing in today’s highly polarized climate.