Mouse House lobby

Disney courts GOP as party favored in elex

Disney CEO Bob Chapek is cozying up to Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections, according to a new report.

Chapek has been having “private phone calls” this year with House Republican leaders including Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), according to CNBC, which cited anonymous sources briefed on the conversations.

Polls have suggested that the GOP, which has been critical of Disney’s stances on social issues, has the edge to win the House, and Scalise will likely become the House majority leader, the No. 2 party position in the chamber.

The Mouse House has been a focus for Republicans; their most public dustup came this year over Disney’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Disney told CNBC that it speaks to lawmakers from both parties. Neither Disney nor Scalise returned requests for comment.

“There is significant concern now that Republican lawmakers believe in free markets and capitalism but only if they agree with that company,” Cristina Antelo, a Democratic lobbyist who counts Disney as a client, told CNBC.

Antelo said that Republicans could “bring pressure on companies that they believe are too woke.”

But Disney is hoping to grease the wheels a bit and work their contacts.

Chapek has had a relationship with Scalise for some time. Scalise’s leadership PAC and campaign have hosted several fundraising events at Disney World in Florida, Axios reported.

Disney spent over $2.3 million on in-house lobbying in the second and third quarter, CNBC reported — shelling out $1.37 million in the second quarter alone, the most Disney has spent on such lobbying efforts in a quarter since 2011.

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill banned the teaching of sexual or gender identity to students up to fourth grade.

At first, Chapek wobbled on his company’s position, but eventually came out hard in opposition, which enraged the Florida GOP.

After Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, he stripped Disney of its autonomous status over its theme parks in Orlando.

Working his magic With polls showing Republicans might win the House, Disney CEO Bob Chapek reportedly made calls to House Minority Whip Steve Scalise to smooth things over.