Asa Hutchinson Responds to DeSantis and Disney Feud

• Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson has spoken out about the feud between Disney and Ron DeSantis.
• He told CNN on Sunday, “It’s not the role of government to punish a company.”
• Disney filed a lawsuit against the governor of Florida last week.

Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson responded to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ spat with Disney on Sunday, saying it’s “not the government’s role” to punish a company you don’t belong with. OK.

During a CNN “State of the Union” interview, host Dana Bash asked Hutchinson what his position was on fellow Republicans “using government to change social policy and fight culture wars?”

“I don’t like what Disney said about the legislation I would have supported in Florida, but it’s not the government’s job to punish a company when you disagree with what you’re saying. she says or a position she takes,” Hutchinson said. .

Disney publicly criticized DeSantis’ so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which he promulgated last March. It prevents K-3 teachers from holding classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

In retaliation, DeSantis threatened changes to the Disney Special Tax District. Disney filed a lawsuit last week against DeSantis — who is expected to announce his own White House candidacy — claiming the governor’s ongoing actions against Disney violate his constitutional rights.

—Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) April 30, 2023

“If that was a Republican’s view, then we’re going to be in all sorts of trouble in our blue state businesses if they start punishing businesses for taking a more conservative rhetoric or stance,” he said. Hutchinson on Sunday. “And so I don’t understand a conservative punishing a company that is the largest employer in the state.”

Hutchinson added, “In Arkansas and as governors, we recruit industry. We support our industry because it provides jobs and we don’t dictate their speech. To me, that’s a conservative position. “