Walt Disney Co. and its chief executive, Bob Iger, have made a significant shift away from the culture wars and a renewed focus on entertainment.
Since Iger’s return as CEO, the company has sought to distance itself from political issues and avoid controversy. The company’s recent actions suggest a desire to refocus on its core mission of entertaining its audiences, rather than taking a stand on social and political issues.
One example of this is the removal of a transgender athlete storyline from an upcoming Pixar animated series, “Win or Lose,” after some parents expressed concern. The company has also acknowledged that it will no longer prioritize promoting diversity and inclusion in its storytelling, choosing instead to focus on universal themes and appeal to a broad audience.
The change in approach comes as no surprise, given Iger’s statements about the need for Disney to prioritize entertainment over politics. During an investor meeting earlier this year, Iger stressed that the company’s primary mission is to entertain, rather than promote a specific agenda.
Iger has a history of championing Disney’s efforts to diversify its casts and storylines, introducing the company’s first Black princess in 2009 and the Latino-inspired movie “Coco” in 2018. However, under Iger’s new approach, the company seems to be prioritizing entertainment over cultural relevance.
Disney’s willingness to walk away from controversies has also been seen in its decision to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump, ABC News, and George Stephanopoulos. The company opted to pay Trump $1 million in legal fees and donate $15 million to his future presidential library rather than fight the case and risk damaging its reputation.
The company’s new approach has raised concerns among some First Amendment experts, who believe that Disney ceded ground to Trump and abandoned its right to freedom of speech. However, the company’s lawyers reportedly argued that it was riskier to take the case to trial, given the high stakes and the possibility of losing and damaging the company’s reputation.
The decision to prioritize entertainment over politics has also been driven by the company’s recognition that promoting its values can be messy and costly. A bruising fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the company’s silence on a Florida law aimed at preventing classroom discussions about sexual identity resulted in significant backlash and financial losses.
As the company seeks to refocus on its entertainment mission, it is evident that Disney is seeking to avoid controversy and protect its brand. The shift comes as the company navigates a polarized and changing media landscape, where being seen as “woke” or “woke” is increasingly seen as a negative.
