Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner condemned ABC’s decision to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely, calling it a troubling response to political pressure from the Federal Communications Commission.
Questioning Leadership
Eisner, who led Disney from 1984 to 2005, accused current CEO Bob Iger of failing to defend free speech. “Where has all the leadership gone?” he wrote on X, arguing that powerful executives must stand up to intimidation.
FCC Pressure and Backlash
The suspension followed comments Kimmel made about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by former President Trump, publicly threatened ABC, Disney, and Kimmel, while Nexstar Media announced it would stop airing the show.
Public Support for Kimmel
Protests erupted from New York to California, with supporters denouncing the suspension as a violation of First Amendment rights. Many have posted on social media about canceling Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions in solidarity.
Corporate Silence
Bob Iger has not publicly addressed the controversy, even as Nexstar pursues a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna that requires FCC approval and raises monopoly concerns.
For more on Kimmel’s show suspension, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.