Disney exec Dana Walden’s friendship with Kamala Harris may have affected CEO chances: report
The possibility of Disney executive Dana Walden succeeding Bob Iger as the head of the media conglomerate may have been hindered by her close friendship with former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, according to a report.
Sources cited by Variety suggested that the relationship between Walden and Harris could have made Disney a target for the Republican Trump administration, as the White House has shown a willingness to challenge powerful media companies.
The bond between Walden and Harris goes back to the 1990s and is based on the friendship between their husbands, music executive Matt Walden and Hollywood lawyer Doug Emhoff.
Harris has publicly acknowledged the Waldens for introducing her to Emhoff.
Walden has been a consistent supporter of Harris’s political career, contributing to her campaigns for various positions, including San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, US senator, and president.
As the co-chair of Disney’s entertainment division responsible for television and streaming, Walden was in the running to succeed Iger, but the board ultimately selected D’Amaro, the head of the company’s most profitable unit.
Walden will be appointed as the chief creative officer in her new role.
Another factor that may have influenced the decision was Walden’s handling of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, which was perceived as a public relations misstep within the company.
Despite these challenges, Walden was credited by Kimmel himself for helping him navigate the fallout from the controversy surrounding his suspension.
On the legal front, Trump has been aggressive in pursuing defamation lawsuits against major media outlets, including Disney. The company recently settled a lawsuit with Trump for misstatements made by ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Trump’s legal battles with media organizations have extended to other outlets, with multi-billion dollar lawsuits pending against several prominent news organizations.
The Post has reached out to Harris and the White House for comment on the matter.
