Los Angeles business leaders are increasingly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as his lame-duck period accelerates. The Wall Street Journal reports that Los Angeles is at the forefront of declaring independence from the administration in Washington.

As Trump's influence wanes, his government is beginning to act more like a traditional administration. This shift could potentially improve his standing during the final two years of his presidency.

A notable example is Disney, which is now defending its ABC broadcast network in a lawsuit challenging what it describes as the administration's intimidation tactics. This marks a significant change from just a year ago, when entertainment giants were reportedly complying with Trump's demands, settling his lawsuits, and silencing his late-night television critics.

The dynamic represents a broader trend of business elites pushing back against Trump's policies and rhetoric.