The fragile peace between the Walt Disney World Resort and Florida’s political class has shattered once again. As the 2026 gubernatorial primary heats up, James Fishback—a high-stakes investor and Republican candidate for Florida Governor—has become the face of a new corporate-political firestorm.
Following a high-profile removal from Disney property in late December 2025, Fishback has shifted from demanding a simple apology to leveling a devastating accusation: he claims the global entertainment giant is actively “manipulating the youth” of Florida and the nation. With a lifetime ban now standing between him and the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” Fishback is taking his fight directly to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
The Incident: A “Patriot” Meet-and-Greet Cut Short
The controversy began during the final week of December 2025. James Fishback, the 30-year-old founder of Azoria Partners and a rising star in the Florida GOP, attempted to host a grassroots political meet-and-greet at a Walt Disney World Resort. According to eyewitnesses and footage shared on social media, the event attracted more than 150 supporters, whom Fishback referred to as “patriots.”
The gathering was intended to be a centerpiece of his campaign for “aggressive affordability” and a challenge to special interests. However, Disney security moved in quickly. Citing the resort’s longstanding prohibition on “unsanctioned political meetings” and unauthorized solicitation, officials escorted Fishback off the premises.
The result? A formal trespass warning that carries a permanent, lifetime ban from all Walt Disney World and Disneyland properties. For a candidate running to lead the state where Disney is the largest employer, the optics were immediate and explosive.
The Escalation: “Disney is Manipulating Our Youth”
While the initial dispute centered on Disney’s private property rights, Fishback has since escalated the conflict into a full-scale cultural indictment. In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Fishback responded to the ban by targeting Disney’s core business: its influence on children.
“Disney didn’t ban me because I broke a rule; they banned me because I broke their narrative,” Fishback stated. “This is a corporation that has moved away from family entertainment and into the business of manipulating the youth. They utilize their parks and their platforms to suppress conservative viewpoints while indoctrinating the next generation of Floridians. Banning a candidate for Governor is just their latest attempt at viewpoint censorship.”
Fishback’s rhetoric taps into a deep-seated grievance among a segment of the Florida electorate that believes Disney has overstepped its role as an entertainment provider. By framing the trespass as an attempt to protect a “progressive monopoly” on the minds of children, Fishback has successfully turned a legal technicality into a central campaign platform.
The Letter to Bob Iger “Apologize Now”
Following the social media firestormFishback’s’s campaign released an open letter addressed directly to Disney CEO Bob Iger. In it, Fishback does not mince words, characterizing the lifetime ban as a “political targeting ” of corporate election interference.”
The letter outlines three non-negotiable demands:
- An Immediate Formal Apology: Fishback demands that Disney publicly apologize for the”unprofessional and discriminatory actions of its security staff.
- A Personal Meeting with Iger: The candidate seeks a face-to-face meeting to discuss Disney’s exclusionary treatment of conservative political figures.
- A Total Policy Review: Fishback is calling on the company to clarify its rules regarding guest interactions, claiming that current policies are selectively enforced to silence specific political ideologies.”
“You cannot take billions in tax breaks from the hardworking people of Florida and then treat their candidates like criminals”, Fishback’s letter concludes. “It is time to decide if you are a guest in our state or a governor over me.”
Legal Reality: Private Property vs. Free Speech
Despite Fishback’s surge in the polls following the incident, legal experts point out that Disney is operating within a well-defined legal framework. Walt Disney World is private property, and the First Amendment typically does not grant individuals the right to hold political rallies on corporate grounds without the property owner’s consent.
Disney’s official code of conduct for 2026 remains clear:
“The solicitation of any kind, whether commercial, religious, or political, is strictly prohibited on resort property.”
However, Fishback’s legal team argues that because Disney has historically functioned as a “quasi-government” through its special districts, its ability to ban a gubernatorial candidate should be subject to higher scrutiny. This legal gray area is expected to be a central talking point as the campaign moves into the spring.
Impact on Governor’s Race 26: Florida Governor’s Race
James Fishback is currently locked in a fierce primary battle with frontrunners like Rep. Byron Donalds. By forcing a confrontation with Disney, Fishback is following the “culture war” blueprint that helped propel Ron DeSantis to national prominence.
For Bob Iger, the situation is a strategic nightmare. After years of litigation and public feuds with the state, Disney has been attempting to lower its political profile in 2026. However, by banning Fishback, they have inadvertently handed him a “Badge of Honor” that he is now wearing on every stump speech from Pensacola to Miami.
What Happens Next?
As of January 5, 2026, Disney has not issued a formal response to the demand for an apology. Historically, the company prefers to let its security protocols speak for themselves, but with Fishback’s accusations of “manipulating the youth, gaining traction on national news outlets, the silence from Burbank may be reaching its breaking point.
Will Disney double down on its lifetime ban, or will Bob Iger offer Florida’s branch to Florida’s most outspoken candidate?
