For DeSantis and his base, the legislation terminating the Reedy Creek Improvement District is Exhibit A in his battle against wokeness. It shows just how far he will go, and what risks he will run, to strike a blow in the culture wars. It makes him look like a more effective version of Trump.
But for moderates, the Disney legislation is Exhibit A in the case against the Hungarian Candidate. It looks like a Trump tweet turned into law. It is a violation of First Amendment rights, done on a whim and without any kind of serious planning, which could end very badly for Florida’s taxpayers. It is despotism, pure and simple.
Whatever gains DeSantis might have pocketed as a result of the legislation have passed their expiration date. If he wants to be president, he needs to end this dispute as quickly as possible. Expect the Florida Legislature to essentially repeal 90 percent of the legislation, while keeping some cosmetic parts of it in place. DeSantis will then declare victory and move on.
It’s kind of like what Putin should do in Ukraine, but won’t.