Disney’s Bob Iger Defied Trump to Reinstate Jimmy Kimmel

Disney has reversed its decision to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The move comes after significant public backlash and political pressure. ABC, owned by Disney, announced Kimmel’s return to air on Tuesday.

The reinstatement follows a weekend of high-level discussions within the company. According to Reuters, the final choice was based on the company’s best interests.

Disney Leadership Weighs In Amid Billions in Losses

Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden personally spoke with Kimmel. They reached the final decision on Monday. Reports suggested Disney faced massive financial losses from the controversy.

Some estimates claimed the company lost up to $4 billion. This was due to widespread subscription cancellations. The exact financial impact remains unclear.

Sources told Reuters the decision was guided by internal strategy. They stated it was not due to pressure from station owners or the FCC. The company felt intense public pressure from a cancel-subscription campaign.

A Decision Defying Political Pressure

The initial suspension followed Kimmel’s comments about supporters of former President Donald Trump. He criticized their reaction to the alleged shooting of right-wing figure Charlie Kirk. Disney called the comments “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

President Trump had publicly celebrated the suspension. The FCC initially justified the network’s action. Now, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, praised Disney for its courage.

A spokesperson for Charlie Kirk’s organization accused Disney of “caving” to public pressure. Kimmel is expected to address the suspension directly in his Tuesday night monologue.

The reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel concludes a turbulent chapter for Disney. It highlights the complex balance media companies must strike between political pressures and audience expectations. The decision ultimately reinforces the network’s commitment to its programming strategy.

Info at your fingertips

Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended?

Kimmel was suspended for comments about supporters of Donald Trump. He criticized their reaction to the alleged shooting of Charlie Kirk. Disney deemed these remarks insensitive.

Who made the decision to bring him back?

The decision was made by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden. They spoke with Kimmel over the weekend. The choice was finalized on Monday.

Did the suspension cost Disney money?

Reports suggested Disney lost billions due to subscription cancellations. The exact financial impact is not confirmed. The backlash was a significant factor in the reversal.

How did politicians react to the reinstatement?

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez praised Disney’s courage. In contrast, a spokesperson for Charlie Kirk’s group accused the company of caving to public pressure.

When will Jimmy Kimmel return to air?

Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned on Tuesday night. The host was expected to address the situation in his opening monologue. The show resumed its normal schedule.

Trusted Sources

Reuters