CBS’s The Late Show host Stephen Colbert and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show temp host Jordan Klepper condemned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on their Tuesday shows for joking about possibly putting a new state prison next to Disney World and it was unclear if these professional joke tellers knew DeSantis was joking.
Referencing Disney’s attempt to wiggle around state law, Colbert introduced a clip of DeSantis by declaring that he “couldn't take control of Disney World, so now he's talking about what he can do to the land around the park.”
Colbert may be celebrating prematurely, but as for DeSantis, the clip showed him musing over what do with the land around Disney World, “People have said, you know, maybe have another-- maybe create a state park, maybe try to do more amusement parks. Someone even said, like, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I mean, I just think that the possibilities are endless.”
Based off his tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions, DeSantis was clearly joking, but Colbert still replied, “Yeah, a state prison next to Disney. He’s about to run for president, and his latest proposal is ‘I'm going to put Florida convicts next to your children.’”
Even if Colbert was simply being sarcastic, he still attacked Republicans for being critical of Disney, “Other Florida Republicans are also lining up to bash Disney, like State Representative Carolina Amesty who claimed the magic kingdom is ‘Indoctrinating’ children with ‘radical gender ideologies.’”
After some booing from the audience, Colbert continued, “No, no, she’s right. Really makes you long for the good old days when Disney only showed wholesome, traditional relationships like a Candelabra trying to bang a feather duster.”
Meanwhile, Klepper introduced his thoughts with a picture of DeSantis in his white rain boots, “Everywhere you look in the news, there’s an alpha male whipping his pecker out, marking his territory, punching walls, instead of crying. Real tough guys. Guys like Ron "These boots are made for walking" DeSantis. Who’s down in Florida waging war on a cartoon mouse.”
After playing the NBC segment of the same DeSantis soundbite that Colbert did, Klepper lamented the idea, “Okay! A state prison next to Disney World. Could you imagine what poor Walt Disney was that if he saw this? I mean, first, he'd probably have a lot to say about all the Jews and black people allowed in the park, but after he sorted that out, he would be very upset.”
Klepper also claimed the idea, which again was clearly a joke, proves DeSantis is “a want-to-be dictator.”
If wanting to make sure Disney plays by the same set of rules as everyone else is proof of dictatorial aspirations then words no longer have meaning.
The Late Show was sponsored by Ashley and The Daily Show was sponsored by Red Lobster.
Here are transcripts for the April 18 shows:
CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
4/18/2023
11:42 PM ET
STEPHEN COLBERT: DeSantis couldn't take control of Disney World, so now he's talking about what he can do to the land around the park.
RON DESANTIS: People have said, you know, maybe have another-- maybe create a state park, maybe try to do more amusement parks. Someone even said, like, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I mean, I just think that the possibilities are endless.
COLBERT: Yeah, a state prison next to Disney. He’s about to run for president, and his latest proposal is "I'm going to put Florida convicts next to your children." DeSantis, of course, has made many other threats. He's floated the idea of raising taxes on Disney hotels and imposing tolls on roads that lead to its theme parks. Oh no, now going to Disney World might become expensive. Oh, no.
Other Florida Republicans are also lining up to bash Disney, like State Representative Carolina Amesty who claimed the magic kingdom is "Indoctrinating" children with "radical gender ideologies." You know what, yeah. No, no, she’s right. Really makes you long for the good old days when Disney only showed wholesome, traditional relationships like a Candelabra trying to bang a feather duster.
She's the most flammable object in the castle! Get outta there! Now, the craziest thing about all this is Disney World is the largest employer in Central Florida. You can't attack Disney if you're the governor of Florida. That's like running for the prime minister of Canada on the slogan "[bleep] Maple syrup!"
***
Comedy Central The Daily Show
4/18/2023
11:02 PM ET
JORDAN KLEPPER: Everywhere you look in the news, there’s an alpha male whipping his pecker out, marking his territory, punching walls, instead of crying. Real tough guys. Guys like Ron "These boots are made for walking" DeSantis. Who’s down in Florida waging war on a cartoon mouse.
GABE GUTIEREZ: This morning, the ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney is intensifying. DeSantis now floating the idea of the state developing land next to Disney world.
DESANTIS: Come to think of it now, people are like, well, there's what should we do with this land? Maybe try to do more amusement parks. Someone even said, like, maybe you need another state prison. Who knows? I mean, I just think that the possibilities are endless.
KEPPLER: Okay! A state prison next to Disney World. Could you imagine what poor Walt Disney was that if he saw this? I mean, first, he'd probably have a lot to say about all the Jews and black people allowed in the park, but after he sorted that out, he would be very upset. This may sound like a petty move by a want-to-be dictator but as a prison next to Disney World an inherently bad idea? I say no. As long as they lock up strictly those Disney adults, we’re going to be totally fine. I know you are trying to make adulthood feel like childhood, but guess what! There's nothing for you past 30!
