Obama Breaks Silence on Disney’s Jimmy Kimmel Suspension: Warns of Escalating Media Suppression
In a move that’s shaken up late-night TV and sent shockwaves through Disney’s ranks, ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show indefinitely after a fiery political monologue sparked backlash from conservatives and escalated into a direct threat from the federal government.
Adding fuel to the fire, former President Barack Obama broke his silence Thursday with a pointed post calling out what he describes as an abuse of political power.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” Obama wrote on X.
Obama didn’t mention Jimmy Kimmel by name, but the connection was clear. His post came hours after ABC confirmed the show would not air, following days of escalating political pressure.
This wasn’t just a case of a network panicking over a spicy segment. According to sources inside Disney and ABC, the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air was the result of a fast-moving crisis — involving federal regulators, angry affiliates, threats to staff safety, and damage control at the highest levels of the Walt Disney Company.
What Happened on Monday Night?
It started with a monologue. On his Monday night show, Jimmy Kimmel addressed the recent murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, a shocking and still-developing case. But rather than tread lightly, Kimmel went full-force, accusing Trump-aligned politicians and media figures of exploiting the killing for political gain.
He referred to them as the “MAGA gang” and drew heat immediately from right-wing commentators and outlets.
On Tuesday, he didn’t backtrack. Instead, Kimmel doubled down, saying on-air, “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
That’s when the alarm bells started ringing inside Disney.
When the FCC Got Involved
Everything changed on Wednesday, when FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared on a conservative podcast and publicly suggested that ABC’s broadcast licenses could be in jeopardy if Kimmel’s commentary continued unchecked.
To many inside Disney and ABC, that wasn’t just noise — it was a direct threat from a federal regulator.
According to multiple individuals familiar with internal discussions, Carr’s comments were interpreted as “a real, serious threat.” One veteran TV producer not affiliated with ABC told CNN that for any network, “There is no more terrifying circumstance than the threat of an FCC fine, or worse, the agency moving to revoke broadcast licenses.”
That same afternoon, Nexstar, one of the largest station groups in the country and a key distributor of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in two dozen markets, announced it would no longer air the show.
At that point, the dominos were already falling. And fast.
Disney Pulls the Plug
Behind the scenes, Disney executives were scrambling. Sources say Kimmel had planned to deliver another politically charged monologue on Wednesday night, directly responding to the backlash and continuing his criticism of MAGA media figures. One source close to production described the monologue as “very hot.”
That never happened.
According to CNN, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden made the call personally: Kimmel’s show would be preempted indefinitely.
This was not just about Kimmel. Insiders say that in the wake of Carr’s FCC remarks, Disney employees — including Kimmel’s staff — began receiving threats of violence. Their contact information had been leaked online. The issue quickly moved beyond PR and into employee safety, advertiser concern, and station liability.
“This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel Live,” a source familiar with internal discussions said. “It’s about all of ABC and all of the shows and all employees.”
Walden reportedly spoke directly to Kimmel and asked him to “take down the temperature.” The two have had a long and positive working relationship, and Kimmel is widely respected within the company. Still, even that goodwill wasn’t enough to save the show from being pulled.
Not Fired — But Not on Air
Kimmel hasn’t been fired. But his show is off the air until further notice.
“Everyone deeply values him and wants him to come back,” one insider said. “But he has to take down the temperature.”
Kimmel has always had a long leash when it comes to politics — taking on Donald Trump repeatedly during his presidency, mocking right-wing media, and wading into controversial territory often. But the FCC’s involvement changed the rules. As one source put it, “This time, it became a business and legal issue.”
Kimmel has not commented publicly. ABC has also declined to say whether or when the show might return.
Death Threats and Doxxing
The situation has become volatile in other ways, too. Multiple sources told CNN that after Carr’s podcast appearance and the subsequent media attention, ABC employees and Disney staff began receiving death threats. Their email addresses and phone numbers were published online.
For Disney, already dealing with a string of politically charged headlines over the past few years, this represented another headache with potentially severe consequences.
Outside of Disney’s Burbank headquarters, protesters gathered Thursday, calling the show’s suspension a violation of free speech and accusing the company of caving to political intimidation.
Obama Breaks His Silence
Barack Obama’s statement came as something of a surprise — but not a shock. Known for staying above most media feuds, the former president entered the discussion with a powerful message. While carefully worded, the post was clearly aimed at the escalating threats against Disney and ABC.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level…”
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 18, 2025
In other words, Obama is accusing government officials — particularly those aligned with the current administration — of doing exactly what they claim to oppose: using political pressure to silence voices they don’t like.
What’s Next for Kimmel?
Jimmy Kimmel remains under contract with ABC through May 2026. He’s one of the network’s biggest stars, having hosted the Oscars, led Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and remained a ratings anchor in the late-night lineup since 2023.
But his future is now uncertain.
While sources say Disney is “hopeful” there’s a way forward, that path isn’t guaranteed. A lot may depend on whether Kimmel is willing to tone things down — and whether the FCC backs off its aggressive stance.
Meanwhile, fans are waiting. The late-night host who made his name by speaking boldly now finds himself at the center of a storm that may determine just how much free speech remains on network TV.
One thing’s clear: this story isn’t over.
