Disney has built a $175 billion empire from show business, so it seems fitting that CEO Bob Iger would turn to show business to deflect criticism about his connection to President Donald Trump.
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Disney's CEO quoted the musical 'Hamilton' to defend his position on Trump's business council (DIS)
At Disney's annual shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Iger responded to criticism of his place on President Donald Trump's business council by quoting "Hamilton."
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During Disney's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, an audience member took the mic and blasted Iger for being a member of Trump's business advisory council.
Iger told the angry interlocutor he would respond with a quote from the hit musical "Hamilton."
He said he wanted to be "in the room where it happens," a famous line from the Broadway musical (which almost certainly will be made into a movie one day, maybe by Disney).
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The line Iger used is said several times throughout "Hamilton," most notably in the song "The Room Where It Happens," in which Aaron Burr expresses his frustrations that he wasn't privy to back-channel negotiations that resulted in a stronger federal government, among other policy changes.
"I made a decision that I thought was in the best interests of our company and of our industry, to have an opportunity to express points of views directly to the president of the United States and to his administration," Iger said. "I think it's a privileged opportunity."
He said his presence on the advisory council didn't imply an endorsement of Trump or his policies.
Iger's response got applause from the crowd.
Iger isn't the first CEO to get heat for being on Trump's business council. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick quit the council last month after pressure, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also faced criticism.
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