Bob Iger Says Disney Needs to be an “Entertainment-First Company”
Disney CEO Bob Iger clearly wants to see The Walt Disney Company removed from the center of the culture wars. After months of publically battling with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the company settled its legal issues with the state and seems ready to move forward.
For the last couple of years, Disney has found itself in the middle of political controversy. Now, the company would surely like to get out of the spotlight. Unfortunately, that decision may no longer be up to Iger and Disney executives.
Photo: Getty Images
Bob Iger Says Entertainment, Not Messaging, Is Disney’s Primary Goal
Over the last couple of months, Iger has told anyone who will listen that Disney’s job, first and foremost, is to entertain its audiences. During an interview today on CNBC, he reiterated that message.
Scott Mlyn | CNBC
“Infusing messaging as the sort of number-one priority in our films and TV shows is not what we’re up to. They need to be entertaining,” Iger said. “And look, where the Disney company can have a positive impact on the world — whether it’s fostering acceptance and understanding of people of all different types — great. But, generally speaking, we need to be an entertainment-first company, and I’ve worked really hard to do that.”
With Disney now settled with DeSantis and both parties seemingly moving forward, Iger was quick to note that “the noise” surrounding Disney’s place in the culture wars “has sort of quieted down.”
Ignoring Elon Musk
Outside of DeSantis, Disney’s most vocal critic has been Elon Musk, who continually jabs the company on X. During today’s interview, Iger made it clear that he is not interested in engaging with the billionaire.
Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
“I ignore it,” Iger said. “There’s no relevance to the Walt Disney Company or me.”
(Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Disney)
With the battle over Reedy Creek at an end, Disney is looking forward. If Bob Iger gets his way, the company will exit politics and get back to entertaining. Whether or not his antagonists will leave Disney alone, however, remains to be seen.
