One thing is clear: incoming President Donald Trump has no love for The Walt Disney Company, ABC, Bob Iger, or anything associated with the Mouse House. Trump has repeatedly criticized the company and recently filed a lawsuit against ABC News and renowned anchor George Stephanopoulos. In a surprising turn of events, Bob Iger decided to settle the case, agreeing to pay $16 million — $15 million allocated to a Presidential Library fund and $1 million to cover legal fees.
Related: Trump Administration Sets Sights on Bob Iger in First Strategic Moves
Donald Trump has once again taken aim at The Walt Disney Company, a frequent target of his criticism, while praising former Marvel Entertainment chairman Ike Perlmutter for “getting out” of Disney due to its so-called “woke” direction.
Speaking during an event at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump lauded Perlmutter’s decision to “leave” Disney, using the opportunity to criticize the company’s leadership under CEO Bob Iger.
“The guy went from stone-cold broke to owning Disney. Then he got out of Disney because they went woke. He didn’t want woke Donald Duck, right?”
While Trump’s claims about Perlmutter “owning Disney” are absolutely false, his praise sheds light on Perlmutter’s controversial time at Marvel and his ultimate departure from Disney.
Ike Perlmutter’s Role at Disney and Marvel
Ike Perlmutter joined Marvel in the early 1990s, navigating the company through financial turmoil and emerging as a key player in its resurgence. When Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, Perlmutter served as CEO, but his tenure was marked by tension and divisive leadership.
Known for his frugality and conservative approach, Perlmutter clashed with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige on creative decisions, particularly regarding representation in films like Black Panther (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019). He said that he did not think movies with black or female leads would perform well. It should be noted that Black Panther is one of Marvel’s most successful movies to date.
In 2015, Disney restructured Marvel’s leadership, relegating Perlmutter’s influence and granting Feige direct oversight from Disney executives. Perlmutter, a staunch conservative and vocal supporter of Trump, later aligned himself with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during his public disputes with Disney.
Departure Amid Disney’s Budget Cuts
Perlmutter’s time at Disney officially ended in 2023 during Bob Iger’s cost-cutting initiatives aimed at slashing $5.5 billion from the company’s budget. As part of these measures, Disney executed massive layoffs, terminating approximately 4,000 employees, including Perlmutter.
Perlmutter finally severed all ties with the company, selling his 25.6 million shares of Disney stock in 2024. He had joined forces with activist investor and billionaire Nelson Peltz to try to take control of Disney’s Board of Directors, but that effort failed miserably.
Perlmutter’s exit was not voluntary, contrary to Trump’s remarks. Disney insiders described the layoffs as part of Iger’s broader effort to streamline operations, with Perlmutter’s role deemed non-essential in the new corporate structure.
Trump’s comments regarding “woke Donald Duck” reflect a broader cultural debate that has been leveraged by political figures to criticize Disney. The term “woke” has been used as a catch-all critique of progressive policies, with Disney frequently finding itself in the crosshairs of conservative voices for promoting diversity in its films and parks.
The feud highlights the intersection of politics and entertainment, with Trump positioning Disney as a symbol of corporate progressivism to rally his base.
What are your thoughts on Trump’s praise for Ike Perlmutter? Do you agree with the criticisms of Disney’s direction, or do you think Perlmutter’s departure was overdue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
