New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro is facing his first major political test as Donald Trump publicly pressures the company to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The pressure, which extends to Melania Trump and Trump allies, complicates D’Amaro's oversight of networks like ABC.
The Core Controversy
The tension escalated after Kimmel made controversial remarks regarding First Lady Melania Trump. These comments occurred against the backdrop of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and a subsequent shooting incident.
- Kimmel's Remarks: Last Thursday, Kimmel quipped that Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow,” a jab framed within a roast of the President.
- Context: The remarks followed the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where an alleged gunman was later charged with attempting to assassinate Trump.
Political Fallout and Pressure
The controversy quickly drew high-profile political reactions, creating significant pressure on Disney.
- Trump Administration Response: Pro-Trump media outlets and influencers criticized Kimmel online. Melania Trump condemned the jokes on Monday morning, and President Trump followed up, labeling the comment a “despicable call to violence” and linking it to the shooting.
- Disney's Stance: Despite the public pressure, there is currently no indication that Disney plans to suspend or fire Kimmel. ABC and Kimmel's representatives have remained silent regarding the matter.
Show Preparations and Guest Changes
Despite the political storm, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is scheduled to air on Monday night.
- Guest Changes: Kimmel had initially promoted Oz Pearlman for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but Pearlman withdrew following the shooting. He will be replaced by Jon Lovett, a comedian and podcaster. Actor Anthony Anderson is also confirmed to appear.
- Internal Discussions: ABC executives and Kimmel are reportedly discussing the content for Monday's show to address the controversy.
Historical Precedent and Industry Dynamics
This situation echoes past corporate battles, notably when ABC suspended Kimmel last September amid earlier Trump administration pressure.
- Previous Suspension: The network suspended the show before bringing it back less than a week later. This past incident involved owners of ABC-affiliated stations, Nexstar and Sinclair, threatening to preempt the show.
- Past Rationale: Dana Walden, a senior executive at Disney, stated the previous suspension was an effort to “take the temperature down” after Kimmel angered conservatives with a comment about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk.
- Current Landscape: While Nexstar and Sinclair have previously voiced reservations, they may be hesitant to boycott the show again due to the intense backlash experienced last September.
Kimmel's Stance
Kimmel, a long-time critic of the President, has publicly stated that engaging with politics is unavoidable for him, noting that avoiding the topic would be “shameful.”
