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DeSantis, a likely presidential candidate, fired new salvos this
week in his ongoing bid to win more state oversight over
Disney's operations in Florida after the entertainment
conglomerate criticized his Parental Rights in Education Act,
which critics have slammed as a "Don't Say Gay" law.
“I’m a conservative, and I believe as a conservative, the job of
government is... to stay out of the business of business,"
Christie told internet news website Semafor in an interview on
Tuesday.
"I don’t think Ron DeSantis is a conservative based on his
actions towards Disney,” added Christie, who is also said to be
considering a run for the 2024 Republican presidential
nomination.
Trump, who could be DeSantis' top rival for the Republican
presidential nomination in 2024, has called the Florida
governor's war with Disney a "political stunt" and suggested it
could backfire on the party.
DeSantis on Monday said the state's Republican-led legislature
would take steps to nullify Disney's effort to circumvent his
oversight of Walt Disney World by revoking a development
agreement the company struck with outgoing members of a state
board.
The bad blood between DeSantis and one of Florida's largest
employers began in March 2022, when Disney's then-Chief
Executive Bob Chapek spoke out against a bill limiting
discussion of sexuality and "gender identity" in elementary
schools.
DeSantis and the Florida legislature have been working to
eliminate the virtual autonomy the company has enjoyed over the
Disney World resort and amusement parks for more than 50 years,
saying that constitutes an "unfair advantage." Disney employs
some 75,000 people in the state.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Additional reporting by Lisa
Richwine; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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