UPDATE: A coalition of Disney investors is demanding urgent accountability from the company’s board regarding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The program was pulled from the air on September 17 after Kimmel delivered a controversial monologue focused on the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The group, coordinated by the Democracy Defenders Fund, is pressing for board records that reveal the reasoning behind the suspension, which occurred amid pressure from government officials. The investors, including the American Federation of Teachers and Reporters Without Borders, claim that Disney directors may not have fulfilled their fiduciary duties by sidelining Kimmel’s show.
In a letter addressed to Disney officials, the investors are seeking detailed financial analyses related to the suspension, communications among board members, and any policies that govern politically sensitive programming. They have threatened legal action if the company fails to comply within the next five business days. This demand includes copies of affiliate agreements with Nexstar and Sinclair, which reportedly issued threats that led to the show’s removal.
The investors’ legal team, featuring prominent attorney Roberta Kaplan, well-known for winning E. Jean Carroll’s case against Donald Trump, warned they would pursue this matter in Delaware’s courts if necessary. Under Delaware law, shareholders have limited access to board-level materials to investigate potential wrongdoing.
Disney is likely to treat these demands with seriousness, as the company’s stock has already dipped by 3.3 percent during this controversy. Leading figures in Hollywood have also voiced concerns about potential talent backlash against Disney if the company caves to political pressure.
Kimmel’s suspension followed a backlash led by MAGA supporters and Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chair of the FCC. Carr accused Kimmel of contributing to a narrative that framed the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, as politically motivated. In a bold move, Carr suggested regulatory repercussions for ABC unless Kimmel was taken off the air, a stance met with disapproval from civil liberties organizations and lawmakers. House Democrats have since pressed Carr regarding his statements that hinted at further FCC scrutiny if action was not taken against Kimmel.
In an escalating response, Nexstar announced it would not air Kimmel’s show for “the foreseeable future” due to comments made concerning Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University on September 10. Following public outcry, Kimmel returned to the airwaves on September 19 with a record audience of 6.26 million viewers, despite significant preemptions by Nexstar and Sinclair in key markets. Approximately a quarter of ABC homes were still unable to access Kimmel’s show even after his reinstatement.
On his comeback episode, Kimmel expressed regret for any unintended insensitivity regarding the murder, while staunchly defending the role of satire and free expression. He also took a moment to poke fun at Trump’s own disappointing ratings.
Carr has since claimed that government pressure played “no role” in ABC’s decision, while Vice President JD Vance faced criticism for labeling Carr’s apparent threats as a “joke.” The Daily Beast has reached out to both Disney and the Democracy Defenders Fund for further comments.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Disney to see how it responds to these mounting pressures from investors and the public. The implications of this controversy extend beyond Kimmel’s show, potentially impacting Disney’s broader relationship with its affiliates and viewers.
