At Walt Disney World in Orlando, every U.S. president going back to George Washington is enshrined in the “Hall of Presidents” attraction in Magic Kingdom. The exhibit, a brainchild of Disney himself, traces the history of the country through the words of its heads of state. Donald Trump, the 45th U.S. president, is set to be unveiled among the line of sculpted figures in June.
But thousands of people are now trying to change one thing about the Trump figure: They want to make it silent. While all the other presidents on the stage discuss their challenges and accomplishments, a petition on Change.org with almost 7,500 signatures asks Disney to make the Trump audio animatronic robot mute.
“Donald Trump ran a presidential campaign on hateful speech, misogyny, racism and xenophobia.” the petition reads. “In doing so, he has tainted the legacy of the American Presidency forever.” The petition added that Trump is “best known for how he uses his words sometimes carelessly, yet oftentimes with the specific intent of degrading, insulting and demeaning” people who disagree with him as well as “entire groups of people including Mexicans, Muslims, women and the disabled”
Because of that, they don’t want the President to have a voice in the Hall. Specifically, they don’t want to him to give a speech similar to the one former President Obama’s figure makes. The petitioners believe that “The Magic Kingdom at Disney World is a place specifically designed for the enjoyment of children and families.” and so it would not be appropriate to have Trump speak.
For their part, Disney has not confirmed whether Trump’s figure will speak.