Gina Carano Receives Support from X in Lawsuit Against Disney+
Elon Musk’s company X has stepped in to support actor Gina Carano in a new legal battle against Disney regarding her dismissal from the popular Disney+ series ”The Mandalorian” following a controversial social media post. Carano filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against Disney and its subsidiary Lucasfilm in February 2021, citing wrongful termination and sex discrimination.
The lawsuit filed by Carano seeks not only her reinstatement in “The Mandalorian” but also monetary compensation for the loss of her previous earnings and future job opportunities due to her termination from the Star Wars franchise. This legal action comes in response to Carano’s removal from the show after she shared a post on Instagram and TikTok that drew parallels between conservative treatment in the U.S. and the persecution of Jewish people in Nazi Germany.
Prior to this incident, Carano had faced criticism for her social media activity, including comments on Covid-19 restrictions, updates to her Twitter bio, and remarks about Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Elon Musk had previously announced that X would support users facing unfair treatment from their employers due to their posts or interactions on the platform.
Carano disclosed on X that Musk’s offer prompted her to seek legal representation, leading to X’s decision to finance her lawsuit. In a statement on X, Carano expressed her gratitude to Musk and X for enabling her to pursue justice in her case. The lawsuit filed by Carano paints a vivid picture of the situation, likening her swift dismissal from “The Mandalorian” to the destruction of Alderaan by the Death Star in a previous Star Wars film.
X, in response to Carano’s announcement of the lawsuit, highlighted its commitment to free speech and pledged its support for her pursuit of vindication for her rights on the platform. CNBC has reached out to Disney for comment on the matter. This development underscores the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and the repercussions individuals may face for their public statements in the digital age.