{"id":355899,"date":"2026-06-24T22:51:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=355899"},"modified":"2026-06-24T22:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:21:16","slug":"bob-iger-reveals-why-jimmy-kimmel-was-really-suspended","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/24\/bob-iger-reveals-why-jimmy-kimmel-was-really-suspended\/","title":{"rendered":"Bob Iger Reveals Why Jimmy Kimmel Was Really Suspended"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bob Iger<\/strong> is setting the record straight about one of the crucial controversial media decisions of 2025. For the primary time since ABC temporarily suspended \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d<\/strong> following the comedian\u2019s remarks concerning the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk<\/strong>, the previous Disney CEO is explaining why the corporate took motion and insists it had nothing to do with political pressure from President Donald Trump.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xavier Collin\/Image Press Agency\/MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a brand new interview with the Financial Times<\/a>, Iger addressed the controversy and pushed back on claims that Disney suspended Kimmel to appease the Trump administration. \u201cThat was not the case,\u201d Iger said.<\/p>\n

As an alternative, Iger explained that Disney executives believed Kimmel\u2019s comments concerning the aftermath of Charlie Kirk\u2019s death crossed a line. \u201cWe thought it was in bad taste,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The choice ultimately resulted in \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d being pulled from ABC\u2019s lineup for per week before the late-night host returned to the air.<\/p>\n

\"Charlie
Ron Sachs \u2013 CNP \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The controversy erupted after Kimmel addressed the political fallout surrounding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a monologue on his show. \u201cWe had some recent lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately attempting to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything apart from certainly one of them and doing all the things they’ll to attain political points from it,\u201d Kimmel said.<\/p>\n

The comments immediately sparked backlash from conservative figures and eventually drew the eye of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who publicly encouraged local broadcasters to preempt this system. Later that day, some station owners did exactly that, and ABC subsequently announced Kimmel\u2019s temporary suspension.<\/p>\n

Disney Executives Reportedly Held A \u2018Thoughtful Conversation\u2019 With Kimmel<\/h2>\n
\"Bob
Xavier Collin\/Image Press Agency\/MEGA <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In response to reports from The Recent York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Deadline, Iger and then-Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden personally spoke with Kimmel before the suspension was announced.<\/p>\n

Iger indicated that Disney\u2019s issue wasn\u2019t necessarily the comedian\u2019s politics but relatively the timing of the remarks. \u201cWe just wanted him to acknowledge that it was an ill-timed and possibly inappropriate comment,\u201d Iger said.<\/p>\n

Kimmel ultimately returned to the air one week later, and while many were supportive, one person was not comfortable concerning the news: Donald Trump. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was canceled,\u201d President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. <\/p>\n

He added, \u201cSomething happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his \u2018talent\u2019 was never there. Why would they need someone back who does so poorly, who\u2019s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.\u201d<\/p>\n

The President of the US later claimed that Kimmel was \u201cone more arm of the DNC and, to the perfect of my knowledge, that might be a significant Illegal Campaign Contribution.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel we\u2019re going to check ABC out on this,\u201d he continued. \u201cLet\u2019s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds much more lucrative. A real bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Rankings.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Suspension Sparked Massive Backlash<\/h2>\n
\"Jimmy
Jeffrey Mayer\/JTMPhotos, Int\u2019l. \/ MEGA <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Disney\u2019s decision to suspend Kimmel\u2019s show generated immediate criticism from across the entertainment industry. A whole bunch of actors, comedians, producers, and tv personalities publicly supported Kimmel, including Tom Hanks<\/strong>, Jennifer Aniston<\/strong>, Pedro Pascal<\/strong>, and more.<\/p>\n

The move also drew criticism from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who appeared to take aim at company leadership in a social media post about defending free speech and standing as much as political pressure.<\/p>\n

Charlie Kirk\u2019s Death Sent Shockwaves Through The Political World<\/h2>\n
\"Donald
Ron Sachs \u2013 CNP \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The controversy unfolded within the aftermath of Charlie Kirk\u2019s death in September 2025. The Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot while appearing at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old.<\/p>\n

Authorities later arrested a 22-year-old Utah man in reference to the shooting. Prosecutors have alleged the suspect targeted Kirk due to his political opinions and have indicated they intend to hunt the death penalty if he’s convicted.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bob Iger is setting the record straight about one of the crucial controversial media decisions of 2025. For the primary time since ABC temporarily suspended \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d following the comedian\u2019s remarks concerning the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, the previous Disney CEO is explaining why the corporate took motion and insists it had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":355900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[337],"tags":[4596,53176,3221,7204,943,4225],"class_list":["post-355899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-bob","tag-iger","tag-jimmy","tag-kimmel","tag-reveals","tag-suspended"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t