Credit: Inside the MagicBob Iger set the record straight regarding Disney’s political motivations.
Related: The Hidden Stories of Fans Who Dared to Sneak Into Disneyland Overnight
After years of controversial political stances and statements, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, is setting the record straight once again. Iger explains his methodology of leadership, revealing that he has no specific agenda in mind.
Bob Iger first became CEO of The Walt Disney Company back in 2005, taking over for longtime entertainment executive Michael Eisner. Eisner ushered in a new age for The Walt Disney Company, both in terms of its film and television output, as well as within the theme parks. Under Eisner, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, as well as international resorts like Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney Resorts, flourished. Iger stepped into the role of CEO and quickly found himself making some of the biggest decisions the company had seen, like the purchase of Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios.
Iger departed The Walt Disney Company in 2019, with Bob Chapek stepping into the role of CEO for a brief time. Chapek quickly found himself embroiled in controversy, with many Disney fans not appreciating his style of leadership and management. In an incredibly surprising move, Iger was brought back as CEO in 2022.
Under Iger, The Walt Disney Company leaned heavily into entertainment, focusing on creating synergy between its other brands, like ESPN, ABC, and National Geographic. This is something that has been and continues to be, incredibly important to Iger. Iger oversaw the release and launch of Disney+, Disney’s original streaming platform. Disney+ has yet to turn a profit for the company, but Iger believes in the product greatly and has championed the service.
Iger Wants To Keep Politics Out of Disney
Iger is now in the midst of his second contract at The Walt Disney Company, which is expected to end in 2026. Rumors have been swirling as to who Iger will name as his successor, with several high-level executives reportedly being a top choice. However, Iger still has several years to go, and he is making sure fans and the general public know exactly how he intends to lead the company.
During Disney’s annual shareholder’s meeting, Iger assured patrons of The Walt Disney Company that it does not have any kind of agenda influencing its decisions.
“Our job is to entertain first and foremost, and by telling great stories, we continue to have a positive impact on the world and inspire future generations, just as we’ve done for over 100 years. Disney has always been and will continue to be a source of hope, joy, and optimism for people of all ages. We’re committed to telling stories that reflect the world around us and using those stories to entertain people from all walks of life,” said Iger during Wednesday’s call.
“I’ve always believed that we have a responsibility to do good in the world. But we know our job is not to advance any kind of agenda. So as long as I’m in the job, I’m going to continue to be guided by a sense of decency and respect. And we will always trust our instincts,” he stated.
Related: Bob Iger and Ron DeSantis To Build a New Disney World
Iger is making it clear he wants to be as politically neutral as he can be while leading The Walt Disney Company for the next two years. These statements are somewhat surprising, considering Disney’s politically charged motivations and actions over the last few years. Disney found itself wrapped up in one of the company’s biggest controversies ever after taking a stand against Florida’s incredibly divisive Parental Rights in Education Act, or as it is more commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
This brought a firestorm of backlash upon Disney, with the company pointing out the effects and consequences a bill like this would have on Florida’s population as well as the rest of the country. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis championed the bill and, as a result, attacked Disney and Bob Iger. This ultimately led to Florida taking control of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District as punishment.
The Walt Disney Company has made an effort to be more inclusive over the last few years as well, which has landed the company in hot water. The company has updated several titles on Disney+ due to offensive content, as well as cleaned up several aspects of its theme parks. The best example of this is Disney’s newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which acts as the replacement for Disney’s beloved yet problematic log flume ride, Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain closed forever in 2023 after decades of backlash regarding the ride’s theming, which is inspired by Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South.
Over the last few decades, Disney has made every effort it could to scrub the film from existence due to its offensive portrayal of African Americans. As a result, Song of the South is unavailable to buy or stream, with the only remnant of the film being the now-defunct Splash Mountain attraction. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is expected to open sometime in the summer of 2024 at Magic Kingdom and later this year at Disneyland.
What are your thoughts regarding Bob Iger and The Walt Disney Company?