Reeling Disney Fires CEO As ‘Woke’ Culture Blamed For Stock Plunge

Disney fired CEO Bob Chapek in a dramatic development Sunday, ending a disastrous tenure that saw the entertainment giant become a value-hemorrhaging caricature of wokeness.

The company brought back 71-year-old Bob Iger, who retired as CEO a year ago after a 15-year successful run. Iger had groomed Chapek, 62, to take his place, staying on two years after announcing his retirement plans in  what became a failed bid to ensure a smooth transition.

“We thank Bob Chapek for his service to Disney over his long career, including navigating the company through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic,” Disney Chairman Susan Arnold said in a statement.

Disney stock has fallen over 40% over the last year amid an ailing economy. It’s woes have been blamed on a series of decisions that have alienated its family-minded and in many cases, conservative, customer base. The company clashed bitterly with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over a law that prohibits public schools from teaching kids below the fourth grade about sexual orientation and radical gender theory.

The company was also criticized for featuring a lesbian kiss in kids’ movie “Lightyear,” showing a transgender man purchasing tampons in a TV series, and emphatically embracing the trend of Environmental, Social, and Governance, a strategy that courts investors by promoting a host of woke values within the corporate structure.

Chapek, who reportedly earned a salary of $26 million, did not release a comment immediately following his ouster.

The board said Iger “is uniquely situated to lead the Company through this pivotal period,” and said he has the “deep respect of Disney’s senior leadership team, most of whom he worked closely with until his departure as executive chairman 11 months ago.”

Iger emailed Disney staffers late Sunday to announce his return,

“Dear Fellow Employees and Cast Members,” he wrote in an email obtained by The Ankler, “It is with an incredible sense of gratitude and humility-and, I must admit, a bit of amazement-that I write to you this evening with the news that I am returning to The Walt Disney Company as Chief Executive Officer.

“When I look at the creative success of our teams across our Studios, Disney General Entertainment, ESPN and International, the rapid growth of our streaming services, the phenomenal reimagining and rebound of our Parks, the continued great work of ABC News, and so many other achievements across our businesses, I am in awe of your accomplishments and I am excited to embark with you on many new endeavors.

“I know this company has asked so much of you during the past three years, and these times certainly remain quite challenging, but as you have heard me say before, I am an optimist.”