The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week.

The Florida governor asked that the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the governor’s office in a separate state court lawsuit originally brought by DeSantis appointees of Walt Disney World’s governing district.

The legal filings marked an escalation in the battle between the entertainment giant and DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The confrontation started last year when Disney publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, and DeSantis retaliated by taking over the governing district that provides municipal services for the 25,000-acre (10,117-hectare) Disney World theme park resort in Florida.

Disney has sued DeSantis in federal court, claiming the governor violated its free speech rights by punishing it for expressing opposition to the law.

On Thursday, DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the governing district made up of DeSantis appointees, asked a federal judge to throw out Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit, calling it meritless and “a last-ditch effort to reinstate its corporate kingdom.”

“Although Disney has grabbed headlines by suing the Governor, Disney — like many litigants before it who have challenged Florida’s laws — has no basis for doing so,” DeSantis’ motion said.

Meanwhile, the governing district now controlled by DeSantis appointees has sued Disney in state court. The suit is an attempt to void prior agreements, made before the DeSantis appointees took over, that shifted control over design and construction to Disney from the district and prohibited the district from using the likeness of Disney characters or other intellectual property without Disney’s permission. Disney filed counterclaims that included asking a state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. The company amended those counterclaims on Thursday, saying the DeSantis-controlled district was in violation of the U.S. Constitution stipulations on contracts and due process.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-beyonc%C3%A9%E2%80%99s-renaissance-tour-film-is-coming-to-theaters-soon-read-more-details-inside-641406">Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour film is coming to theatres soon! Read more details inside</a>

Disney also sent a notice to DeSantis’ office demanding internal communications, including text messages and emails, and documents regarding the district’s comprehensive plan, the development agreements and the legislation that shifted control of the district to DeSantis. The notice said a subpoena would be issued requiring the governor’s office to turn over the materials to Disney’s attorneys by Oct 27.

The Disney attorneys also sent notices of subpoenas to others, including similar special districts in Florida. Disney wants to show that the manner in which it gave public notice about the agreements which stripped the DeSantis allies of design and construction powers was consistent with what other districts do. The DeSantis allies are arguing that one of the reasons the agreements should be invalidated is they weren’t properly publicized.

In response to the demand for communications and documents, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said that some of Disney’s requests were “overbroad, unduly oppressive, and an improper fishing expedition.”

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The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week. The Florida governor asked that the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the governor’s office in a separate state court lawsuit originally brought by DeSantis appointees of Walt Disney World’s governing district.

The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week. The Florida governor asked that the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the governor’s office in a separate state court lawsuit originally brought by DeSantis appointees of Walt Disney World’s governing district. The legal filings marked an escalation in the battle between the entertainment giant and DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The confrontation started last year when Disney publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, and DeSantis retaliated by taking over the governing district that provides municipal services for the 25,000-acre (10,117-hectare) Disney World theme park resort in Florida. Disney has sued DeSantis in federal court, claiming the governor violated its free speech rights by punishing it for expressing opposition to the law. On Thursday, DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the governing district made up of DeSantis appointees, asked a federal judge to throw out Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit, calling it meritless and “a last-ditch effort to reinstate its corporate kingdom.” “Although Disney has grabbed headlines by suing the Governor, Disney — like many litigants before it who have challenged Florida’s laws — has no basis for doing so,” DeSantis’ motion said. Meanwhile, the governing district now controlled by DeSantis appointees has sued Disney in state court. The suit is an attempt to void prior agreements, made before the DeSantis appointees took over, that shifted control over design and construction to Disney from the district and prohibited the district from using the likeness of Disney characters or other intellectual property without Disney’s permission. Disney filed counterclaims that included asking a state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. The company amended those counterclaims on Thursday, saying the DeSantis-controlled district was in violation of the U.S. Constitution stipulations on contracts and due process. Also read: Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour film is coming to theatres soon! Read more details inside Disney also sent a notice to DeSantis’ office demanding internal communications, including text messages and emails, and documents regarding the district’s comprehensive plan, the development agreements and the legislation that shifted control of the district to DeSantis. The notice said a subpoena would be issued requiring the governor’s office to turn over the materials to Disney’s attorneys by Oct 27. The Disney attorneys also sent notices of subpoenas to others, including similar special districts in Florida. Disney wants to show that the manner in which it gave public notice about the agreements which stripped the DeSantis allies of design and construction powers was consistent with what other districts do. The DeSantis allies are arguing that one of the reasons the agreements should be invalidated is they weren’t properly publicized. In response to the demand for communications and documents, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said that some of Disney’s requests were “overbroad, unduly oppressive, and an improper fishing expedition.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Disney, DeSantis legal fights ratchet up as company demands documents from Florida governor

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be meeting President Joe Biden when he visits the state on Saturday (September 2) to inspect the regions most impacted by Hurricane Idalia.&nbsp;

“We don’t have any plans for the governor to meet with the president tomorrow," DeSantis’ press secretary, Jeremy Redfern said.

“In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” he added.

Earlier, during a briefing in Tallahassee, DeSantis said he told Biden on a phone call that the president's visit could be disruptive.&nbsp;

“One thing I did mention to him on the phone is where these communities are&nbsp;the hardest-hit communities - it would be very disruptive to have the whole security apparatus that goes because there are only so many ways to get into these places,” said DeSantis.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idalia-makes-landfall-as-category-3-hurricane-in-florida-us-weather-agency-630588">'Don't mess with this storm': Idalia makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane in Florida with 125 mph winds</a>

While DeSantis and his&nbsp;office refuse&nbsp;the meeting between the two leaders,&nbsp;White House Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall said she expected a&nbsp;Biden-DeSantis meeting.

“We’re just planning the visit, but I will say that every time I’ve been to Florida with the president, he has met, of course, with Gov. DeSantis and traveled the disaster zone, whether it’s from last year’s hurricane or when the Surfside condominium building collapsed,” Sherwood-Randall said.

“Often, they’ll meet, have a briefing from the emergency responders. It can be in the open, as it was from the hurricane last year. It could be in a briefing room, as it was at Surfside. They are very collegial when we have the work to do together of helping Americans in need, citizens of Florida in need,” she added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hurricane-idalia-leaves-behind-a-trail-of-destruction-630821">Watch |&nbsp;Hurricane Idalia leaves behind a trail of destruction</a>

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<h2>Hurricane Idalia</h2>

Hurricane Idalia made landfall earlier this week on Wednesday (August 30) along&nbsp;Florida’s Big Bend region. After causing widespread damage and flooding, the weakened storm moved north to&nbsp;drench Georgia and the Carolinas.&nbsp;According to DeSantis, residents in Florida will have their power restored by the end of this weekend.&nbsp;

Ever since attending the first Republican debate in Milwaukee, DeSantis has completely shifted his attention to recovery efforts in his constituency. His press office said the campaign trail was currently on halt and it remains unclear when he will resume again.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be meeting President Joe Biden when he visits the state on Saturday (September 2) to inspect the regions most impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be meeting President Joe Biden when he visits the state on Saturday (September 2) to inspect the regions most impacted by Hurricane Idalia. “We don’t have any plans for the governor to meet with the president tomorrow," DeSantis’ press secretary, Jeremy Redfern said. “In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” he added. Earlier, during a briefing in Tallahassee, DeSantis said he told Biden on a phone call that the president's visit could be disruptive. “One thing I did mention to him on the phone is where these communities are the hardest-hit communities - it would be very disruptive to have the whole security apparatus that goes because there are only so many ways to get into these places,” said DeSantis. Also read | 'Don't mess with this storm': Idalia makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane in Florida with 125 mph winds While DeSantis and his office refuse the meeting between the two leaders, White House Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall said she expected a Biden-DeSantis meeting. “We’re just planning the visit, but I will say that every time I’ve been to Florida with the president, he has met, of course, with Gov. DeSantis and traveled the disaster zone, whether it’s from last year’s hurricane or when the Surfside condominium building collapsed,” Sherwood-Randall said. “Often, they’ll meet, have a briefing from the emergency responders. It can be in the open, as it was from the hurricane last year. It could be in a briefing room, as it was at Surfside. They are very collegial when we have the work to do together of helping Americans in need, citizens of Florida in need,” she added. Watch | Hurricane Idalia leaves behind a trail of destruction × Hurricane Idalia Hurricane Idalia made landfall earlier this week on Wednesday (August 30) along Florida’s Big Bend region. After causing widespread damage and flooding, the weakened storm moved north to drench Georgia and the Carolinas. According to DeSantis, residents in Florida will have their power restored by the end of this weekend. Ever since attending the first Republican debate in Milwaukee, DeSantis has completely shifted his attention to recovery efforts in his constituency. His press office said the campaign trail was currently on halt and it remains unclear when he will resume again. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

DeSantis will not meet Biden during president's trip to Florida for Idalia damage survey

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fights the lawsuits with what critics have described as a blank check from the state's supermajority Republican legislature, the mounting legal costs have come heavily at the expense of Florida’s taxpayers. WION tells you more in this report.

Florida Governor DeSantis criticised for wasting taxpayers' money