Controversial Videos Target Disney’s Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
About three weeks ago, a video surfaced showing Twentieth Century Television Senior Vice President Michael Giordano discussing Disney’s hiring practices. He claimed that as a white man, he had been passed over for promotions due to hiring quotas. This sparked a series of videos released by James O’Keefe and his O’Keefe Media Group, alleging that Disney discriminates against white men and promotes a secret LGBTQ+ agenda in its media.
The Allegations
The three videos make broad claims against Disney. They suggest that the company does not promote white men, restricts upper-level executive positions to white men or Jewish individuals, and intentionally includes LGBTQ+ content in its movies and TV shows. These claims have fueled right-wing accusations that Disney discriminates against whites and is “grooming” children.
Media and Public Response
Despite these serious allegations, mainstream media has largely ignored the stories. Disney has not commented on the videos, and public opinion seems to be divided based on existing views of the company.
The First Video: Michael Giordano’s Comments
In the first video, Michael Giordano discussed Disney’s hiring policies, stating that there have been times when the company explicitly decided not to hire white men for certain roles. He attributed this directive to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s emphasis on diversity in casting.
The Second Video: Sohrab “Dave” Makker’s Claims
The second video features Sohrab “Dave” Makker, Walt Disney Television’s Director of Production/Finance. He claimed that Disney would not hire non-white, non-Jewish individuals for top executive roles, sharing an anecdote about a Hispanic colleague who left the company due to perceived discrimination.
The Third Video: Amit Gurnani’s Statements
The third video shows Walt Disney’s Creative Marketing Director Amit Gurnani expressing a desire to include a drag queen at Disneyland and discussing Bob Iger’s support for LGBTQ+ content.
Who is James O’Keefe?
James O’Keefe is known for his heavily edited videos targeting left-leaning organizations. His career began with a controversial video involving Planned Parenthood in 2008. He later targeted ACORN, misrepresenting the organization’s voter registration efforts. O’Keefe founded Project Veritas to “expose corruption” but was removed for financial malfeasance. He now leads the O’Keefe Media Group, continuing his campaign against Disney.
What Happens Next?
Disney is unlikely to comment on the videos due to a lawsuit over its hiring practices. Former Trump adviser Stephen Miller’s group, America First Legal, has filed a lawsuit alleging Disney violated the Civil Rights Act by using race as a factor in employment decisions. The three Disney employees in the videos have retreated from social media, and Giordano has taken a leave of absence.
O’Keefe may face legal consequences for these recordings. California law requires two-party consent for recording conversations, and the Disney employees could argue the videos constitute harassment and defamation.
For now, Disney employees remain cautious, and the public waits to see if more videos will emerge.