Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Disney is introducing an openly Christian character into its Pixar animated show Win or Lose shortly after a transgender storyline was pulled.Newsweek has reached out to Disney via email outside of regular working hours for comment.Why It MattersThe moves comes amid a wider cultural shift toward conservativism, in tandem with the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
The Disney logo forms part of a Disney Plus menu on a computer screen in Walpole, Massachusetts, on Nov. 13, 2019.
The Disney logo forms part of a Disney Plus menu on a computer screen in Walpole, Massachusetts, on Nov. 13, 2019.
AP Photo/Steven Senne, File
Disney has made moves to placate Trump, who previously branded the organization as “woke.” In December, Disney’s ABC News agreed to a $15 million settlement over a defamation lawsuit, marking a win for the president.What to KnowThe Win or Lose series is Pixar’s first-ever original long-form animated series. It follows the Pickles, a co-ed middle school softball team, throughout the week as they prepare for their upcoming championship game.Each episode focuses on a different character and their life off the field, including “the insecure kids, their helicopter parents” and “even a lovesick umpire.” It premiered on Disney+ on February 19, 2025.In the debut episode, the character of Laurie is introduced, and is openly Christian. This character begins her scene with the words, “heavenly father” and there is an angel cutout in her bedroom.”In December, Deadline reported that Disney had cut “a few lines of dialogue” from an episode that referenced a character’s gender identity.A spokesperson for Disney confirmed that the story arc was removed and provided the following statement to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter: “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”This is the first openly Christian character to feature in a Disney film since 2007’s Bridge to Terabithia. The film features young adolescent children Jesse Aarons (played by Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (played by AnnaSophia Robb) , who in one scene attend church together, and discuss religion on the way home.Trump and his allies have often been critical of Disney and what they describe as its “woke” policies. In a May 2023 social media post, Trump branded the entertainment juggernaut a “woke and disgusting shadow of its former self,” criticizing its move toward diverse casting in some of its recent movie remakes.Following raging culture wars over such issues as LGBTQ+ rights and diversity, equity and inclusion, Disney appears to be tempering its approach towards inclusion.An exclusive poll for Newsweek conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies in July found that 34 percent of viewers disapproved of Disney’s attempt to add more LGBTQ+ topics to its content.Since returning to office, Trump has signed an order that rolled back transgender rights, emphasizing the importance of the issue to his agenda in his second term. Trump’s executive order declared that the federal government would recognize only two sexes: male and female.What People Are SayingMark Mitchell of Rasmussen Reports on X: “Openly gay out. Openly Christian in!”One social media user on X: “Again f*** Disney for removing the trans storyline from WIN OR LOSE, but so far it’s a great show.”Another social media user on X: “Another week, another two incredible Win or Lose episodes. The way they show both the kid’s and parent’s struggles and perspectives is top-notch. The animation, the story, the voice acting, the music… it’s all PERFECT. The team behind this show is just brilliant.”What’s NextEpisodes of Win or Lose are being released each week up until March 12.A second season of the show has not yet been announced.Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected].
