Hi, I'm C. NBC Media reporter Alex Sherman, and this is part two of Disney's

wildest ride, the inside story of a CEO succession plan gone a ride. A cautionary tale about how good intentions

collided with ego and hubris at the highest levels of corporate America.

Part 8, a fight in Florida. A little more than a month into Chapek's tenure

without Eiger at the company. Florida Governor Ron Desantis, a Republican, introduced the Parental Rights and Education

Act, which critics called the Don't Say Gay Bill.

The legislation would prohibit classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Disney is one of the largest taxpayers and employers in Florida.

And Shepec and Morel were soon fielding media inquiries

about the company's stance on the matter.

And employees, particularly animators at Pixar and Disney animation wanted to know how the company planned to react.

Eiger tweeted his thoughts.

If passed, this bill will put vulnerable young LGBTQ people in jeopardy, he wrote.

During Iger's tenure as CEO and chairman, he had freely pontificated about an array of causes, including climate change, diversity, and abortion.

In a series of virtual meetings after the killing of George Floyd,

Eager had told Disney employees that making their voices heard was the best way to

bring about change according to people on these calls.

Chapek wanted to chart a different path. Weeks before Desantis introduced his

plan legislation,

Morel had outlined a new communication strategy to the board.

He wanted Disney to stay out of political skirmishes entirely,

and instead signal its values through the three C's content, culture, and

...