Disney has removed a huge part of its lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to focus on its First Amendment claims which the company allege were violated.
The Walt Disney Corporation asked to drop its other claims in the case and to file an amended complaint.
The claim contests that Disney was retaliated against because of its criticism of the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
"We will continue to fight vigorously to defend these contracts, because these agreements will determine whether or not Disney can invest billions of dollars and generate thousands of new jobs in Florida," a spokesperson for Disney said in a statement.
The DeSantis' backed law received backlash from Disney, however the governor challenged the company and Chairman Bob Iger and accused them of being 'woke'
Reuters
Part of the lawsuits were thrown out because they are part of a similar case being heard in Florida court.
The DeSantis-backed law received backlash from Disney, however the governor challenged the company and Chairman Bob Iger and accused them of being "woke".
DeSantis targeted Disney's special tax district which allowed the company to self-govern the land of its Disney World theme park.
The Governor led a change from the name Reedy District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and also replaced the board with his allies.
Disney then created a development contract for future investments before the new board took control which led to the federal lawsuit.
Now the complaint will be based on whether DeSantis targeted Disney for speaking out about the bill that limited gender discussion in some schools.
Disney's federal court motion said: "Disney faces concrete, imminent, and ongoing injury as a result of CFTOD´s new powers and composition, which are being used to punish Disney for expressing a political view."
The revised complaint would dispute "this unconstitutional weaponization of government by seeking a declaratory judgment that will allow Disney to pursue its future in Florida free from the ongoing retaliatory actions of the CFTOD Board," Disney said.
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Disney created development contract for future investments before the new board took control which led to the federal lawsuit
Reuters
The board said it was "pleased that Disney backtracked on these legal claims against the district in their federal case."
Alexei Woltornist, a spokesman for the district said: "Disney's latest legal move puts them in line with the position of what the district has been advocating for months now: that these matters should be decided in state court. We hope this helps expedite justice for the people of Florida."
"I would just say, go back to what you did well," DeSantis told CNBC.
"I think it's going to be the right business decision, and all that. They're suing the state of Florida. They're going to lose that lawsuit."
