Disneyland Visitor: JD Vance, Pledging to Oppose 'Woke' Disney Corporation, Makes an Appearance
Vice President JD Vance's recent family visit to Disneyland in California has stirred up significant controversy, with protests focused on immigration policies and Vance's past criticisms of Disney. The trip has become a focal point for political expression and public debate.
During the visit, Vance and his family faced protests outside Disneyland and the nearby Grand Californian Hotel, with demonstrators waving Mexican flags and carrying signs criticising the administration's immigration enforcement. Messages such as "No family vacation while we deal with family separation" and calls for Vance to "go home" were prevalent, due to ongoing ICE raids in California leading to family separations.
Vice Chair of the DNC and Nebraska Democratic Party chair, Jane Fleming Kleeb, confronted Vance during his visit, pointing out the perceived hypocrisy of his Disneyland visit, given his previous rhetoric and political stance against California and Disney.
While in the park, Vance and his wife Usha were seen enjoying attractions, including riding "Tiana's Bayou Adventure," a recently reimagined attraction formerly known as "Splash Mountain." The ride change has been politically charged, with conservatives criticising the replacement of the original storyline, which is associated with "Song of the South," a racially controversial film.
Videos circulated showing Vance awkwardly running after his children, with social media users mocking the situation. Despite the protests, the visit required heightened security, causing some normal park operations to be disrupted, which frustrated other visitors.
Vance has been openly critical of Disney in the past, labeling the company as "woke" and accusing it of "declaring war on America's children" in 2022. He has also expressed concerns about mass migration and its impact on American citizens. In a recent article shared by Vance, titled 'Drain the Disney Copyright Swamp and Make the Public Domain Great Again,' he attacked Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
California governor Gavin Newsom accused Vance of avoiding debates on important issues and instead choosing to go to Disneyland. He tweeted that being forced to train one's replacement before getting fired is degrading and undignified, and that Disney is "woke with the left hand and steals from American citizens with the other." Vance has also criticised Disney for profiting off of government handouts for decades.
The episode has further intensified discussion about the role of public figures’ families in politically charged environments, with some critics accusing Vance of using his children as "human shields" amidst political confrontations. The controversy highlights tensions between Vance's political stance and public perception, especially given the location and timing of his family outing amid protests tied to his and the administration's policies.
- The Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Jane Fleming Kleeb, confronted Vance over his Disneyland visit, citing the perceived hypocrisy of his actions given his past political stances against California and Disney.
- Social media users mockingly circulated videos showing Vance awkwardly running after his children at Disneyland, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy.
- The controversy surrounding Vance's visit has expanded discussions about the role of public figures' families in politically charged environments, with some criticism aimed at Vance for potentially using his children as "human shields" in political confrontations.
- Vance, in a recent article, attacked Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, labeling the company as "woke" and accusing it of profiting off of government handouts for decades, further entangling politics and entertainment.
