On December 19, news broke that Disney decided to settle the defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Trump against ABC News, a decision that sparked strong internal opposition within the company. According to informed sources, Disney CEO Bob Iger approved the settlement agreement proposed by Disney's General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez. Disney concluded that the company was facing a difficult court battle in Florida, and if it lost, it would not only incur significant costs but also cause immense damage to press freedom. Several ABC News employees stated that this sets a concerning precedent for a media company, fearing that the settlement agreement conveys a message that Disney prioritizes corporate interests and its relationship with the White House over the interests of its own journalists.