Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner slams the current leadership of the company for suspending Jimmy Kimmel
Eisner calls Kimmel’s suspension “out-of-control intimidation” and defends free speech amid backlash over comments on Charlie Kirk’s death.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has criticized the company’s current leadership for suspending Jimmy Kimmel following the host’s remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar Media, one of the country’s largest television station owners, announced it would stop broadcasting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC “indefinitely” due to Kimmel’s comments.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
Kimmel claimed that the MAGA movement was trying to gain political advantage following Kirk’s death. Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his Monday monologue.
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, called Kimmel’s comments “some of the sickest conduct possible” and threatened regulatory action against ABC and Disney.
Political pressures in late-night TV
Kimmel’s suspension has reignited debate over the limits of free speech, First Amendment protections, and political intolerance.
In July, Paramount announced it would exit the late-night programming business and cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May next year. While the company cited a drop in advertising revenue, some speculate political motivations may have played a role, given Colbert’s criticism of the Trump administration.
Michael Eisner blasts Disney chiefs over Kimmel
After being pulled off air, Kimmel received support from several current and former late-night hosts, including Colbert. Eisner, Disney’s CEO from 1984 to 2005, is the latest to publicly back Kimmel while criticizing those responsible for the suspension.
“Where has all the leadership gone?” Eisner wrote on social media. “If not for university presidents, law firm managing partners, and corporate chief executives standing up against bullies, who then will step up for the First Amendment?
“The ‘suspending indefinitely’ of Jimmy Kimmel immediately after the chairman of the FCC’s aggressive yet hollow threatening of the Disney Company is yet another example of out-of-control intimidation. Maybe the Constitution should have said, ‘Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, except in one’s political or financial self-interest.’
“By the way, for the record, this ex-CEO finds Jimmy Kimmel very talented and funny.”
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