Disney is facing internal turmoil as CEO Bob Iger’s recent moves to align with President Donald Trump’s policies have left employees frustrated and uncertain about the company’s direction. Senior staffers reportedly voiced their concerns to Deadline, questioning whether Disney’s latest decisions are aimed at appeasing conservatives.
“This is not what I expected from Bob—I thought he had our back,” an anonymous Disney staffer told Deadline.
Disney has faced mounting financial struggles, with Captain America: Brave New World projected to open at a lackluster $70 to $85 million—a weak showing for a Marvel film. Meanwhile, park attendance has declined as soaring prices deter families, and investor pressure has forced the company to scale back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Employees have expressed feeling abandoned by Iger as the company moves away from its progressive stance.
On Tuesday, Disney’s Captain America 4 premiere was overshadowed by pro-Palestinian protesters, highlighting the increasing pressure the company faces from both political sides. Early reviews for the film have been lukewarm, adding to concerns over Disney’s ability to regain box office dominance.
Wednesday brought more damaging headlines, including reports that Disney has watered down its controversial trigger warnings on older films—a move seen as an attempt to walk back its woke policies.
Disney continues to struggle with the fallout from its political activism, particularly its opposition to Florida’s parental rights law. One in four Americans now avoid Disney films due to political concerns, and the company’s streaming service lost over one million subscribers last quarter.
Iger is now following the lead of other Hollywood executives, such as those at Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, who began cutting DEI initiatives in 2023 to appease investors.
As Iger works to rebuild Disney’s brand, internal divisions are growing. The removal of a transgender storyline from a children’s show and the cancellation of an expensive but unpopular Star Wars series have fueled accusations that he is betraying the company’s progressive roots.
With Iger’s contract set to expire in 2026, the question remains: is he more focused on fixing Disney’s image or securing his own legacy? The company’s next moves could determine whether it regains cultural dominance or continues its downward spiral.
