Disney CEO Robert Iger Reveals Disney’s Economic Impact on America. A century in, the entertainment giant remains deeply woven into the fabric of American life. From theme parks to streaming, Disney’s vast operations fuel the U.S. economy and shape its culture, employing hundreds of thousands and investing billions domestically. Beyond entertainment, Disney sees itself as a key contributor to American communities and a driver of innovation. The Walt Disney Company CEO took to the Economic Impact page on the official website to highlight these numbers to investors and the American People.
Of greater importance is the likely recipient of this communication: the individual prompting the FCC’s inquiry into The Walt Disney Company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring protocols. It is significant to note that this same body also governs the tariffs being enacted internationally, which would affect Disney. Although the majority of these tariffs are currently under a 90-day suspension, a subject beyond the scope of our website, which is not geared towards CNBC-style reporting, and despite the apparent political motivations, our coverage focuses on the news about Disney, rather than political analysis.
Read the Full Statement from Bob Iger Below:
“In 1923, when Walt Disney and his brother, Roy, first set up a cartoon studio in pursuit of their American dream, few could have imagined what the future would hold. This company was built from Walt’s extraordinary ambition and boundless creativity. Many others have come and gone over the past century. And yet Disney has stood the test of time as a constant source of happiness for families and communities, and a shining example of innovation and imagination. That enduring cultural influence sets Disney apart as both a brand and business, which is a privilege we take seriously. That’s why we’ve always believed it’s important to be one of the world’s most admired companies — not only for what we create, but for the positive impact we have.
Today, we have more than 160,000 U.S. employees across all 50 states from virtually every trade and profession, from animators and accountants to zoning engineers and zoologists. We are invested in their success and the communities they call home. Major new initiatives like our $30 billion+ investment in our domestic theme parks will add some 10,000 new jobs in Florida and California. And in 2025, we’ll spend over $23 billion on production for our movies and television series and licensed content, the majority of which is spent here in the U.S. Meanwhile, we’ve invested $370 million in higher education and professional development for our hourly workers nationwide through our Disney Aspire program.
I’m particularly proud of the ways we’re able to use the power of Disney stories to lift children’s spirits when they need it most. Through our longtime relationship with Make-A-Wish, Disney is the No. 1 wish-granter in the world for children facing critical illness, and we grant a child’s wish every hour of every day. We also support children’s hospitals across the nation and internationally, and recently fulfilled our $100 million commitment to enhance the children’s hospital experience for patients and their families.
All of this ongoing work and more is part of our unwavering commitment to being a force for good in the world, especially right here in our backyard.”
DISNEY, BY THE NUMBERS – Disney not only employs tens of thousands of American workers, but we also invest billions of dollars in the American economy.
Disney CEO Robert Iger Reveals Disney’s Economic Impact on America
