Historic Disney CEO Pick Out Because of Kamala Harris Friendship?

In February 2020, after 15 years of leading The Walt Disney Company, CEO Bob Iger stepped down and Bob Chapek took over the role. Unfortunately, Mr. Chapek’s time as CEO was full of controversy and missteps, and after less than three years, he was fired by Disney’s Board of Directors, and Iger stepped back into the role.

Originally, Iger was set to remain CEO through the end of 2024, but that contract was extended through the end of 2026. And, with that time fast approaching, the hunt for a new CEO is on.

Bob Iger and Bob Chapek in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — Credit: Disney

During Bob Chapek’s tenure as CEO, it was reported that Bob Iger felt pressured into making a CEO decision before he stepped down and regretted appointing Mr. Chapek to the position. So, when Mr. Iger returned as CEO in November 2022, finding a suitable replacement that he could mentor before leaving was one of his top priorities.

While many names have popped up as potential candidates for Disney’s next CEO, there are allegedly four that are on Mr. Iger’s shortlist — Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, the co-chairs of Disney Entertainment; Josh D’Amaro, the current Chairman of Disney Parks; and Jimmy Pitaro, the Chairman of ESPN, which is owned by Disney.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and joins Mickey Mouse and the rest of the gang on the 2022 D23 stage — Credit: D23

Unfortunately, according to one report, Dana Walden may have one big thing working against her — her close relationship with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Ms. Walden and Harris have been friends for more than 30 years, and are so close that the former Vice President said that Walden and her husband set Harris up on a blind date with the man who would become her husband, Doug Emhoff.

While many people might not consider Ms. Walden’s friendship with Ms. Harris a problem, it has become something that Bob Iger has had to consider amid a second Trump presidency.

Two women in formal attire sit across from each other at a table with a bouquet of pink and white flowers and two glasses of water. They are engaged in conversation, and one woman is laughing. — Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Saturday Night Live’, NBC

In a report from Puck, Matthew Belloni states that, while Mr. Iger, and the committee that was put together to find a new CEO, must think beyond the Trump years, they cannot ignore the current administration and the disdain Mr. Trump has for Iger, Disney, and ABC (which is owned by Disney).

“I think board chair James Gorman and his succession committee will go with the candidate they believe will best steer the company well beyond the Trump years.”

“If that is ultimately Walden – a big if for many reasons more legitimate than a friendship with a politician – I think she gets the nod on the merits, regardless of the short-term political problems Still, Trump is clearly a major concern, and Walden takes a hit because of that.”

It should be noted that Ms. Walden has not hosted a fundraising event for Kamala Harris since 2022, when ABC News came under her control. However, she has made personal political donations and, in 2023, donated $20,000 to the Democratic Party for the presidential campaign of Joe Biden.

While we do not know who will ultimately replace Mr. Iger as CEO, multiple reports have indicated that Disney will make the announcement sometime in early 2026.

Should Ms. Walden be named as CEO, she would be the first woman to lead the company in its one hundred year history.

Do you think the current Trump administration should affect who is chosen as the new CEO of Disney? Should Ms. Walden’s political affiliations be held against her? Share your thoughts in the comments.