U.S. News
Disney Benches Kimmel Indefinitely Amid Uproar
Clear Facts
- Disney has benched Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely following controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
- ABC affiliates and the FCC exerted pressure on Disney regarding Kimmel’s continued presence.
- The future of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and Kimmel’s role at ABC remains uncertain.
Jimmy Kimmel is facing an indefinite suspension from Disney after making remarks that stirred reaction about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
This decision comes as pressure mounts from ABC affiliate stations across the country and the Federal Communications Commission.
Kimmel was reportedly prepared to address the controversy on-air, but Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden stopped him, concerned it could escalate the situation further.
Disney CEO Bob Iger joined Walden in the final decision to remove Kimmel, prioritizing the company’s reputation above all.
Puck’s Matthew Belloni shared,
“It’s not a Colbert situation; we have been told that Kimmel is profitable. He does a lot more for the network than just hosting this show.”
Belloni added,
“He is like the face of the brand.”
Despite declining viewership in recent years for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, Kimmel maintains a strong online following, with his show’s YouTube channel garnering nearly 21 million subscribers.
Kimmel has also appeared as host for numerous high-profile events, including the Academy Awards and American Music Awards, making him a significant figure for ABC’s brand image.
Kimmel stated to the Los Angeles Times in 2024,
“I think this is my final contract. I hate to even say it, because everyone’s laughing at me now — each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case. I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough.”
When questioned more recently about his future, Kimmel told Deadline,
“I’m not prepared to answer that question, it’s something I think about a lot, things have changed a lot over the last few years, the last nine years, each day is a new adventure and I kind of take them as they come.”
Bill Simmons, former “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” staffer, commented on his podcast,
“Colbert, I don’t feel like was the face of CBS, whereas Jimmy was. His show has been on for over two decades.”
Simmons continued,
“Jimmy was one of the few people that you would have associated with ABC.”
It remains to be seen whether Disney will reinstate Kimmel or move forward without him, as the controversy continues to capture national attention.
Stay informed as this story develops and watch for further updates from Crystal Clear News.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
dan
September 20, 2025 at 5:13 am
Funny, but I never watched Kimmel on any of his shows. He’s just not important enough to spend my time watching. My family is much more essential to me than Kimmel, or any of those night-time broadcasts. Based on Kimmel’s comments re: Charlie Kirks murder, I’m glad I never watched him.
Bright Future Up
September 20, 2025 at 7:26 am
I frequently made an additional $29,618 at home. I actually earned $29,164 with my ideal home income. By employing, Nowadays, anyone
check out… Go On My Profile
Money Bucks
September 20, 2025 at 7:28 am
I frequently made an additional $29,618 at home. (z11) I actually earned $29,164 with my ideal home income. By employing, Nowadays, anyone
check out… Go On My Profile
J
September 20, 2025 at 8:20 am
I only saw part of one show and was not interested in it. That is about it. I would rather watch a movie or read a book.
Victoria L Lawson
October 4, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Me neither
Steve
September 20, 2025 at 8:39 am
He’s a typical left wing radical asshole.
Victoria L Lawson
October 4, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Steve you hit the nail on the head .
Joe B Black, Sr
September 20, 2025 at 10:50 am
The Trump stuff wasn’t funny to over half of the country, but it could be considered free speech that the network was willing to allow as I feel they also identified with the Trump hatred. But his comments became increasingly nasty and personal and that’s when his viewership started falling off and rather rapidly. But, one of the problems with free speech without any regulation, morally or governmentally, it will degrade into something unhealthy for the country and that’s where Kimmel wound up. That’s why the network took him off. He was becoming a a liability to the network now. The FCC was created to have some control over over the public airways, bc they knew the mess that it could/would become, and that wasn’t good for the country. That’s when they started licensing it and said that you need to be fair and truthful. Networks took Ronald Reagan’s movies off of the air when he ran for president because of the equal time responsibility they had. Debates for political offices need to give equal time. Some may say that’s a front to free speech, but it’s fair. By reminding networks of their duty and responsibility according to their license isn’t coercion. It can be depending of how it’s used but reminding someone that you cannot yell fire in a crowded theater is not corrosion or intimidation. I look at it as a police officer giving you a warning about your driving. A not so subtle reminder that you may be breaking the law. Kimmel was heading down that road of embarrassing Disney and ABC, and he knew it, didn’t care and rebuffed and attempts from the network to smooth things over and moderate it. As was stated from his ‘24 interview, he saw the handwriting on the wall and he chose to ignore it and continue down the path of destruction. Why? I have my ideas, but only Jimmy knows why he purposely sealed his on fate. Maybe Trump deserved the rough treatment, he could handle it. Jimmy on the other hand couldn’t handle Trump’s retorts to his bad jokes. But, when Jimmy’s “free speech “ turned sick and evil even the networks couldn’t take it. Jimmy committed Comedian Suicide. He joins a long list of comedians that became political and became unfunny! I saw Jimmy hosting that game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and he was pleasant and often funny. I had a hard time believing that was the same person who was so full of hatred that he could make such a sick comment about Charlie Kirk. I think Jimmy Kimmel will be a sad lonely man until he comes to grips with all this and is repentant. Until then, he will be tormented by this inwardly.
Fred CIRLIN
September 20, 2025 at 11:42 am
I have been a Disney fan for a long time. Not any more. No backbone.