Chapek Blames Iger for Disney Ouster in New Memoir

Bob Chapek, who led Disney from February 2020 until his abrupt dismissal in November 2022, asserts that Bob Iger was responsible for his ouster. In his forthcoming memoir, Chapek alleges Iger launched a "relentless three-year campaign" to undermine his leadership.

Chapek maintains he made no significant mistakes during his tenure that would justify his termination. He decided to write the book after his dismissal to counter what he perceived as inaccurate narratives and preserve the factual record of his leadership.

He states he has had no communication with Iger since leaving the company. Chapek also shared that he believes Iger's unwillingness to relinquish the CEO role, foreshadowed by a 2020 New York Times article, fueled his desire to return.

Chapek feels his legacy is mischaracterized by controversies like the "Don't Say Gay" bill and the "Black Widow" dispute. He highlights the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fox acquisition during his leadership.

Regarding his own actions, Chapek expressed disappointment, not anger, over his exit. He noted that Disney edited its timeline to remove his CEO tenure and even removed a plaque commemorating his achievements, actions he attributes to Iger.

Currently, Chapek is involved in advising private equity firms and entrepreneurs, including an AI company called NinjaTech AI. He is also producing a musical titled "Midnight."