UPDATE 2: Disney CEO Bob Iger has taken to his private Facebook account to blast Sanders, asking, “How many jobs have you created?”
UPDATE: Disneyland Resort spokesperson Suzi Brown has issued a statement on Senator Sanders’ remarks: “Mr. Sanders clearly doesn’t have his facts right. The Disneyland Resort generates more than $5.7 billion annually for the local economy, and as the area’s largest employer has added more than 11,000 jobs over the last decade, a 65% increase. These numbers don’t take into account our $1 billion expansion to add a Star Wars-themed land, which will create thousands of additional jobs across multiple sectors.”
Previously:
During a campaign stop at the Anaheim Convention Center today, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders pointed to neighboring Disneyland as an example of a corporation not paying their employees a living wage. According to Politico, Sanders asked the crowd gathered at his rally if anyone worked for Disney. He followed this up by asking if anyone was making a living wage there. “I’m probably the only politician to come to Anaheim and say this. I use Disney not to pick on Disney but as an example of what we are talking about when we talk about a rigged economy.” Sanders said.
The candidate also singled out Disney CEO Bob Iger, saying, “I dare say the CEO of Disney is in that wealthiest one percent” and that Disney had “record profits” last quarter. Meanwhile, the candidate claimed, “Disney pays its workers wages that are so low that many of them are forced to live in motels because they can’t afford a decent place to live.”
Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, is currently in a battle against leading opponent Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Before the party’s convention this summer where Sanders plans to make a last-minute appeal, California will hold its primary on June 7th.