Billionaire businessman Elon Musk is putting his money where his mouth is by legally backing actress Gina Carano’s lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm. She alleged she was fired from “The Mandalorian” for promoting conservative viewpoints, and Musk agreed.
Carano had the prominent role of Cara Dune only to be written out of the Star Wars spinoff in 2021.
Her unforgivable crime? Carano questioned the wisdom of mask mandates during the COVID-19 hysteria and dared to comment on the controversial presidential election of 2020.
The actress and former MMA fighter also decried the demonization of conservative voices by the media and Washington officials. This prompted Disney and Lucasfilm to cut her loose, and she was promptly dropped by her talent agency.
As for Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX owner previously pledged to provide legal support to anyone who believed they were discriminated against for posting or supporting material on his X platform, which was formerly Twitter.
Carano fit the bill. She seeks to be reinstated into her role on the Disney production and to receive compensatory damages up to $75,000.
She is further asking the court for emotional distress and punitive damages to be awarded at trial.
Musk already had a running feud with Disney CEO Bob Iger. The entertainment giant pulled its advertising from X after some complained of alleged “anti-semitic” content posted on the platform.
The entrepreneur launched an expletive at Iger in September and requested that he continue his boycott against X.
Concerning Carano’s lawsuit, X’s head of business operations Joe Benarroch explained that the company is wholeheartedly behind her effort to right the wrong she suffered.
He explained, “As a sign of X Corp’s commitment to free speech, we’re proud to provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination.”
Musk purchased the social media platform with the expressed intent to safeguard free speech in the world’s virtual town square. His legal assistance to Carano is further proof of his honoring that pledge.
