Disney Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel Following Suspension Over Controversial Comments
After a week-long suspension that sparked a nationwide debate over government interference and free speech, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on Tuesday night. The decision follows days of backlash against Disney and allegations that the show’s suspension was politically motivated. Kimmel’s show had been abruptly pulled from the schedule after several local ABC affiliates preempted it in protest, following comments made by Kimmel that were widely interpreted as critical of the Trump administration. ABC then suspended the program altogether—a move that ignited fierce criticism from media watchdogs, Hollywood figures, and civil rights groups. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Disney explained its initial decision and the rationale for reinstating the late-night host.“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.” A source familiar with Kimmel’s plans told CNN that he will address the controversy in his Tuesday night monologue. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weekdays at 11:35 p.m. ET. Media analysts have been closely watching Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden as they navigate political and commercial pressures. ABC’s station affiliates, as well as ongoing deals like ESPN’s pending pact with the NFL, require government approvals that some see as vulnerable to political influence. Complicating matters, Kimmel’s contract expires in May, and the late-night TV space has seen consistent declines in viewership and advertising revenue. Kimmel’s suspension stunned the entertainment industry, where the longtime host is seen as a respected and influential figure. The show employs between 200 and 250 people, and its sudden pause led to protests at Disney’s offices in New York and Burbank, California, as well as outside the Hollywood theater where the show is filmed. Public support for Kimmel swelled in the days following the suspension. Over 400 prominent artists, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Aniston, signed an open letter organized by the ACLU demanding his reinstatement. Following ABC’s reversal, ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said the company “made the right call” by allowing Kimmel to return. “It should never have suspended him to begin with and resisted the government’s desire to control what people say,” Romero said. “Hopefully, other media outlets will also find their spines and resist the Trump administration’s efforts to cudgel them into obeisance.” Democratic lawmakers also praised the move.“Thank you to everyone but @BrendanCarrFCC,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X. “This is a win for free speech everywhere.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the sentiment, writing, “This is big: Jimmy Kimmel is coming back! This is about fighting for free speech and against these abuses by Donald Trump and Brendan Carr.” Carr, a Republican FCC commissioner, has faced criticism for what many see as political pressure on media outlets. He did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. However, his FCC colleague, Commissioner Anna M. Gomez—the commission’s lone Democrat—voiced strong support for Kimmel’s return. “I am glad to see Disney find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation,” Gomez said in a statement. “More importantly, I want to thank those Americans from across the ideological spectrum who spoke loudly and courageously against this blatant attempt to silence free speech.” “It will continue to be up to us as citizens to push back against this administration’s growing campaign of censorship and control,” she added. PEN America, one of several free expression organizations that condemned Disney’s initial decision, called Kimmel’s reinstatement “a vindication for free speech.”“This is about remedying his unjustifiable suspension, and reminding us that when people speak out to hold the powerful to account—it matters,” said Summer Lopez, interim co-CEO of PEN America. “We must all channel the same energy to fight the many assaults on free speech underway, including against those with less reach and resources.”
