Florida Governor Ron DeSantis found himself outsmarted by none other than Mickey Mouse in a high-stakes battle over free speech and political retaliation. The conflict began when Disney executives expressed their disapproval of DeSantis's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, which prohibits conversations about homosexuality and transgender issues in Florida's public schools.

In response, DeSantis pushed through legislation that would grant the governor control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a self-governing entity established over 70 years ago to allow Disney to build and manage its theme parks without excessive government interference. With an eye toward teaching Disney a lesson and potentially boosting his political standing, the Republican governor installed his loyalists on Reedy Creek's newly formed board of directors.

However, Disney's legal team outmaneuvered DeSantis, who proudly touts his Harvard Law School education. Just before the previous Disney-friendly board's tenure ended, they signed a contract that granted Disney almost complete control of the theme parks' land for at least 30 years, effectively nullifying any actions taken by the new board.

Adding insult to injury, contracts like these are extremely difficult to overturn, despite DeSantis's threats to take Disney to court. One legal expert suggests that the governor would need to fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a process that could take at least five years with no guarantee of success. By then, DeSantis would no longer be in office.

Critics of DeSantis suspect ulterior motives behind his contentious moves, including his request for $98 million in tax dollars to create a private state army and his bans on certain books and Black history lessons. These actions, they argue, are aimed at advancing his presidential aspirations.

However, if DeSantis hopes to reach the White House, he may want to avoid relying on a "wish upon a star," as Disney and Mickey Mouse hold the rights to that dream as well.