The controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel only ramped up Tuesday, creating more headaches for the late-night host and his bosses. But despite mounting political pressure, The Walt Disney Company appears to be standing firmly behind Kimmel.
That’s the takeaway from comments by Brian Stelter, who offered new insight into the company’s internal thinking as backlash against Kimmel intensified on Monday and continued on Tuesday, even after Kimmel issued a response via his monologue.
“My sources at ABC and Disney are well aware that the MAGA media attacks against Jimmy Kimmel are not in good faith,” Stelter wrote on social media. The CNN media analysis added that company insiders “are also well aware of the hypocrisy at play here,” referencing President Donald Trump recently celebrating the death of former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller.
The comments help explain why Disney declined to take immediate action against Kimmel
following his controversial joke during a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner segment. Conservative influencers, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, First Lady Melania Trump, and President Trump blamed Kimmel for violent rhetoric and called on ABC to fire the late-night host.
Instead of suspending the host or pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air, ABC allowed Kimmel to address the controversy directly on Monday night. In a measured monologue, he defended his intent, rejected claims that his joke incited violence, and expressed sympathy for those affected by the weekend’s attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
According to Stelter’s reporting, that response was intentional, whereas the past decision to suspend Kimmel may have been reactionary. Disney executives apparently view the current criticism as politically motivated and are unwilling to make programming decisions based on what they see as bad-faith outrage.
The reference to Trump’s past rhetoric highlights what insiders consider a double standard in how speech is judged depending on the source. That stance could prove significant as the situation escalates.
As previously reported, the Federal Communications Commission, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is weighing a potential early review of Disney’s broadcast licenses. While the review may ultimately be tied to broader investigations into the company’s policies, its timing has raised concerns about political retaliation stemming from Kimmel's comedy.
Even with that possibility on the table, Stelter’s reporting suggests Disney has little appetite to sacrifice Jimmy Kimmel Live! in an effort to appease the White House. Of course, that doesn’t mean the pressure isn’t real. The combination of public attacks from the president, calls for Kimmel’s firing, and FCC involvement reflects an unprecedented level of scrutiny for the late-night host.
But at least for now, Disney appears to be drawing a line by backing Kimmel while betting that both the legal and public arguments are on its side.
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