Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who led the company from 1984 to 2005, issued a veiled critique of his successor Bob Iger on Friday over ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying the move reflected out-of-control intimidation by FCC Chair Brendan Carr and raising questions about whether executives bend to political or financial self-interest. In a post on X, Eisner asked Where has all the leadership gone? and urged public figures and corporate leaders to stand up for the First Amendment. He added that suspending indefinitely 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, Eisner wrote.
ABC suspended Kimmel after his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and the MAGA movement; Iger and Dana Walden, Disney’s top executives, ordered the indefinite preemption. The decision followed an unusually blunt warning from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who suggested on a podcast that Disney faced additional work with the FCC if it did not take action against Kimmel. Carr later said affiliates were free to drop the show if they deemed it contrary to the public interest. Kimmel drew FCC scrutiny after his remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Iger and Walden’s decision to suspend Kimmel was made, according to reports, in part due to staff safety, affiliate relationships and advertiser concerns. The show was replaced by reruns and specials. Disney has offered no timetable for reinstating Kimmel. Insiders told Bloomberg News that negotiations continue, with executives waiting to see whether political anger cools before deciding on his return. Kimmel, still under contract, has not commented publicly beyond social media posts defending his monologues. His staff has been told the hiatus could last weeks or longer. The Post has sought comment from Disney, Iger and the FCC.
Sen Ted Cruz, who has criticized Carr's stance, suggested the warnings were heavy-handed. He compared Carr's remarks to mob boss rhetoric and referenced Goodfellas. Nexstar, which owns dozens of ABC stations, preempted Kimmel; Sinclair signaled it would not carry the program absent an apology. Inside Disney, executives reviewed Kimmel's planned Wednesday monologue and concluded it could escalate the situation. Kimmel refused to retract or apologize, and the Trump administration has threatened to revoke the licenses of television broadcasters. The show was replaced by reruns and specials as Disney evaluates options. No timetable has been set for a return. The Post has sought comment from Disney, Iger, Walden and the FCC.
Insiders say negotiations continue; Kimmel's staff has been told the hiatus could last weeks or longer.