A federal judge has dismissed Disney's lawsuit accusing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of retaliation against the company for criticizing state limits on classroom discussion of sexuality.
US District Judge Allen Winsor, a Trump appointee, issued the ruling on Wednesday in Tallahassee federal court, finding that Disney lacked standing to sue DeSantis and other state officials.
The dispute began after Disney last year criticized Florida's classroom discussion ban on gender and sexuality, dubbed the 'Don't say gay' law by opponents.
DeSantis and his allies responded by stripping Disney of its special control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which had given the company virtual autonomy around its theme parks, including the Walt Disney World Resort.
DeSantis and other defendants had urged Judge Winsor to dismiss the case, saying Disney could not sue them over constitutionally enacted state laws such as the one rescinding Reedy Creek's special status.
