Disney Silences Kimmel Amid Trump-Era Media War

Disney abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show from its schedule on September 17, 2025, following comments the host made about the shooting of conservative organizer Charlie Kirk. The suspension came amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration, particularly from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr, who had previously warned broadcasters of potential regulatory consequences if they did not act against Kimmel’s remarks. An ABC spokesperson confirmed the indefinite suspension but did not specify the reason for the decision. The move has sparked widespread criticism from free speech advocates, celebrities, and politicians, who argue that it represents a dangerous precedent of political influence over media.

Public figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, comedian Chris Hayes, and actor Ben Stiller condemned the suspension, calling it a direct attack on free speech. Newsom stated that such actions were not coincidences but part of a coordinated strategy by the Trump administration to censor critics and control media narratives. The suspension was also compared to previous instances of political interference, including the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show in July 2025, which some attributed to similar pressures from the administration. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized ABC for capitulating to government pressure, arguing that the decision emboldened the administration to continue its efforts to extort and punish media outlets that criticize Trump and his allies.

The backlash against the decision quickly translated into consumer action, with many users publicly announcing their intention to cancel their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. Social media was flooded with calls to “do to Disney what we did to Target,” referencing a previous successful boycott of the retail giant after it ended its Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion initiatives in early 2025. Target’s sales suffered as a result of the boycott, with a 2.8% drop in Q1 and a 21% reduction in net income by Q2 of 2025. With similar sentiment growing online, many feared that a sustained boycott could have similarly damaging effects on Disney’s revenue and brand reputation.

Nexstar, one of ABC’s largest affiliates, announced it would also remove Kimmel’s show from its 23 ABC stations “for the foreseeable future” in response to the host’s comments. Nexstar’s President Andrew Alford described Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive,” and stated that the decision aimed to promote respectful public discourse. FCC Chair Brendan Carr praised Nexstar for the move, suggesting that other broadcasters should follow its lead. However, critics argued that the decision was not about public interest, but rather an overreaction to political pressure. The American Civil Liberties Union highlighted the hypocrisy in the treatment of Kimmel compared to Fox News commentator Brian Kilmeade, who made inflammatory remarks about the homeless without facing similar consequences.

The broader implications of the suspension extend beyond Disney and ABC. The decision has been framed as part of a larger pattern of media censorship under the Trump administration, with actions ranging from lawsuits against major outlets like the New York Times and CBS to attempts to limit press access to the White House. Some industry leaders, including the Writers Guild of America, have expressed concerns that the administration’s aggressive stance could have a chilling effect on journalistic and comedic freedoms. Meanwhile, Kimmel’s contract is set to expire in May 2026, raising questions about whether the suspension is temporary or part of a more permanent shift in Disney’s programming strategy.