In a rare interview, the 80-year-old Mr. Perlmutter spoke to The Wall Street Journal about his dismissal from Disney last week, his relationship with Mr. Iger, and missteps he feels Disney has made in recent years.

Disney is legendary for the loyalty it engenders in most typical employees. But Mr. Perlmutter was no typical corporate employee, nor did he act like one. If he didn’t like what he saw from leadership, he picked up the phone and aired his concerns to powerful allies like former CEO Bob Chapek and activist investor Nelson Peltz.

When Disney was battling with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Mr. Perlmutter said he called him, too. “Ron, you’re right. Disney doesn’t have the right to get involved with politics.” …

“I have no doubt that my termination was based on fundamental differences in business between my thinking and Disney leadership, because I care about return on investment,” Mr. Perlmutter said.

[In reading the whole thing, one can conclude that it was both politics and money … but mainly money. — Ed]