In the past when we have covered Christopher Rufo’s work on revealing The Walt Disney Company’s secrets we have been careful to label Mr. Rufo as an independent journalist. Now that he is launching a campaign to initiate mass movement against Disney, we will be properly re-labeling him an activist. We don’t do this as a pejorative, but simply to be as accurate as possible in our reporting.
Mr. Rufo’s new campaign is called “Drop Disney” and if it has the backing of Fox News, The Daily Wire, etc, it could have a measurable impact on Disney+ subscriptions. It would be far more difficult to create a measurable drop for Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise reservations, but Disney+ numbers are reported each quarter with detail given as to regional subscriptions. We cover this movement not to endorse it, but rather to provide objective reporting (and perhaps subsequent subjective analysis) in a similar way we did with the Disney Walkout and Reimagine Tomorrow information. Here’s what Mr. Rufo has announced via Twitter:
Disney wants to impose critical race theory and gender ideology on American families. We're organizing a campaign to fight back. #DropDisneyhttps://t.co/gaazRqcO5p
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) May 3, 2022
We're launching a paid digital ad campaign targeting conservative Disney+ subscribers, with the goal of persuading them to cancel the service. It's a high-leverage strategy: even small slowdown in the rate of subscriber growth can have a major impact on the stock price.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) May 3, 2022
The company is already in turmoil: the stock price has plummeted since the scandal, rumors are flying that the CEO is in jeopardy, and executives across the country are scared to become "the next Walt Disney Co." We're going to press the advantage.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) May 3, 2022
Conservatives need to develop a strategy for containing woke corporations. We have to apply countervailing pressure and make executives understand that there's a price for pushing critical race theory and gender ideology onto employees and customers.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) May 3, 2022
Some of the claims in these tweets, including that Disney stock has plummeted since the scandal, are objectively true but perhaps misleading. It doesn’t seem, based on financial analysis, that Disney’s stock has dropped mostly due to the scandals Rufo references. That could change soon in the future, however, if either the subscription numbers drop for North America in the May 11th report or if Rufo’s “Drop Disney” campaign impacts future earnings reports.
Meanwhile, the Disney Walkout organization that had some Disney leadership involved in forcing the company towards an activist position regarding sociocultural matters, has not posted on Twitter in half a month. Perhaps the organization has been disbanded or perhaps they need not communicate actively in the present as a result of their goals having been met for redirecting the company. Here is their most recent Tweet:
Please be aware Disneyland Resort cast members and those in the Anaheim area, there is going to be another far-right protest near Disneyland. We are advising to not counter protest or be in the area for safety. pic.twitter.com/cDDmMBMMjr
— Disney Walkout (@DisneyWalkout) April 13, 2022
As of publication the Drop Disney website seems to be down. When we were first alerted to its existence, it was up and functioning with a red-and-black theme. Once it returns, we will try to provide more detailed information about what the website contains. We will also try very hard to give both sides of the story.
That Park Place takes no position in regards to any campaign for or against The Walt Disney Company or any subsidiary or property of TWDC. As a website that covers Disney and other entertainment companies, our writers are not participating in any boycott of TWDC in part or in whole as a result of their duties to cover material generated by TWDC.
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Republicans are definitely dropping Disney. They are seeking to revoke copyright extensions and air space no fly zones at theme parks at the Federal level. DeSantis might change Reedy Creek into special improvement district with Governor appointed administrators. Disney will suffer for getting into politics.
I stand with you
The D23 subscriptions end in November. I wonder how many paid for three years up front.
Good point. Will be a interesting quarter for results.
I have never heard of Rufo and based on his Twitter timeline no one other than the perpetually outraged care what he has to say. I assume the same people saying they’re canceling their subscriptions are the same people who canceled it over Gina or whatever. In other words it’s all hype until subscriptions at Disney drop.