Kimmel suspension tied to Iger legacy, insiders say
ABC insiders say Bob Iger sought to steady Disney’s ship and protect a Walt Disney–style legacy as Jimmy Kimmel returns to the air.
Jimmy Kimmel's suspension from ABC's late-night schedule was described by multiple ABC insiders as a move dictated more by Bob Iger's legacy than politics. Kimmel was pulled off the air last week after he suggested MAGA supporters and politicos were using the Charlie Kirk’s assassination for political gain. ABC said he would return to the air on Tuesday.
Sources said Iger is aiming to steady Disney's course as he nears the end of his tenure, and to protect a Walt Disney-like legacy before his departure. 'He’s personal friends with Jimmy, which complicated the issue,' one insider told Page Six. Another insider described the decision as being guided by principle and the desire to do the right thing for the company.
Rising pressure from affiliates also shaped the decision. Nexstar Media, the nation’s largest local-television operator, threatened to pull Kimmel from ABC-affiliated markets in response to the remarks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr thanked Nexstar for doing the right thing and warned that the agency could take further action if a broadcaster fails to serve the public's interest. Nexstar is pursuing a $6.2 billion bid to acquire Telstar, a separate television-station owner, a deal that would require Carr's approval in the review.
Former Disney chief Michael Eisner weighed in on Iger's handling of the situation in a rare social-media post, while insiders noted the dispute underscores a broader question about how Disney navigates politics and programming while protecting the company's brand.
Inside ABC, others noted Kimmel's contract is coming up; he had been seen visiting his lawyer's office last week, a sign that talks about his future might be evolving as the network weighed how to balance talent with corporate imperatives.
On Tuesday, Kimmel was set to return to the air; he posted on social media for the first time since the controversy, sharing a photo with Norman Lear and writing that he was 'missing this guy today.' A representative for Kimmel and a spokesperson for Iger did not respond to requests for comment.
Industry watchers describe the situation as a rare compromise that attempts to balance the network's entertainment objectives with the leadership's broader mandate to manage controversy and protect Disney's corporate reputation.