House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) blasted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for suggesting “building a prison next to a place that you bring your family” amid the governor’s feud with Disney. (Watch below.)
McCarthy said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Thursday that he’d give DeSantis the same advice on Disney that he’d give President Joe Biden on the debt ceiling: “Why wouldn’t you sit down and negotiate and talk?”
“If there’s differences you can always find ways that you can solve this problem,” said McCarthy, who is threatening to force the U.S. to default on its debts unless Biden unwinds signature policies.
“If you think that the only action is to go to court, I believe that’s wrong ... instead of solving it,” he continued. This is a big employer inside Florida. I think the governor should sit down with them. I don’t think the idea of building a prison next to a place that you bring your family is the best idea.”
McCarthy’s comments came after the Walt Disney Co. sued DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging the governor led “a targeted campaign of government retaliation” after Disney’s CEO criticized Florida’s homophobic “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The feud had intensified in recent weeks, with DeSantis plotting to take over the company’s self-governing district and suggesting a state prison could be built near Disney World.
McCarthy said companies should “abide by the rules” and stay out of politics.
CNBC’s Becky Quick questioned that take.
“Run your business and don’t get into politics, meaning you can’t take ever a position on anything?” asked Quick.
″You can take whatever position you want. But remember, if you’re elected to run a business, that’s what your shareholders want you do,” said McCarthy, who suggested businesses making political statements were out of their “lane.”
H/T: Mediaite