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Credit: Disney (Left), Scott Jennings Social Media (Right)A former Republican official thinks Disney adults need to be sent to detention facilities.
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Conservative political strategist and commentator Scott Jennings had some harsh words for Disney adults during a recent segment on CNN. Jennings was part of a July 1, 2025, roundtable segment on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, an hourly show that typically features guests of different political ideals and beliefs.
Jennings, a former aide to George W. Bush, faced opposition regarding a few of his comments during the show. However, Jennings’ most out-of-pocket comment involved Disney World, specifically Disney adults, claiming they need to be sent to Florida’s new immigrant detention centers.
It’s hard to deny the impact The Walt Disney Company has had on the theme park industry. What started as a small regional theme park in California quickly became a global operation, with Disney theme parks now being located in Europe, China, and Florida.
However, Disney’s most popular theme park of the bunch is Magic Kingdom, which is one part of the Walt Disney World Resort. Whether they plan on enjoying classic dark rides or taking on the latest adventures, millions of guests enter Disney World’s gates each and every year. A major reason Disney has been able to excel comes down to the fact that the parks are fun for guests, both old and young. While there are certainly many experiences geared toward younger visitors, adults will have just as much fun (or more) during their vacations.
However, a separate faction of die-hard fans has formed over the last few decades. This group consists of adults, typically couples with disposable income. There’s been lots of controversy regarding Disney adults, especially online. While the idea of being able to visit the Disney parks whenever you want may sound like a dream to some, others argue being obsessed with any theme park, let alone Disney World or Disneyland, is a little strange.
What Did Scott Jennings Say About Disney Adults?
Jennings: If you’re over the age of 21 and you go to Disneyland or Disneyworld and you don’t have children—straight to Alligator Alcatraz, El Salvador. pic.twitter.com/QODGX1LaGB
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 2, 2025
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“If you’re over the age of 21 and you go to Disneyland or Disney World and you don’t have children—straight to Alligator Alcatraz, El Salvador,” stated Jennings.
A clip shared by X user Acyn shows the full exchange, revealing Jennings’s incendiary remarks about Disney theme park fans. Alligator Alcatraz is the name of Florida’s new immigrant detention center. The facility was built on the old Everglades airport and is intended to house migrants awaiting future legal processing.
It’s a bold and bizarre statement, though it falls in line with right-wing sentiments regarding Disney World and The Walt Disney Company as of late. Disney has been attacked and labeled as “woke” by a number of conservative officials and public figures alike for a variety of reasons.
Between 2022 and 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a very public legal battle against Disney due to the company’s stance regarding the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, more commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This battle ultimately ended with Disney losing its self-governing status in Florida. Today, Walt Disney World is overseen by a newly created board called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Other conservatives have criticized Disney for placing political messaging in its films, taking issue specifically with movies like Turning Red (2022) and Lightyear (2022).
What do you think about Scott Jennings’ comments about Disney adults?