Roseanne Barr Calls Out Disney for ‘Double Standard’ After Jimmy Kimmel’s Return

The return of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has stirred significant conversation, not just among fans, but within the broader entertainment industry. Kimmel’s comments about Donald Trump and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which led to his temporary suspension, sparked protests and led to calls for accountability from various groups.

As Disney made the decision to bring him back on air after a brief hiatus, some members of the entertainment world felt the weight of what appeared to be a double standard.

Related: Broadcasters Stand Ground Against Disney, Refuse To Air Jimmy Kimmel After Charlie Kirk Comments

One of the most outspoken voices in the ongoing debate has come from former Roseanne star, Roseanne Barr. Barr, who was famously fired by Disney in 2018 after a controversial tweet, has made it clear that she feels there is unequal treatment between her case and Kimmel’s.

After Jimmy Kimmel’s return to television on September 23, 2025, Disney faced public backlash. The network had suspended Kimmel for a week after his comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Both Sinclair Broadcasting and NexStar Media announced that they would pull Kimmel’s show from their affiliate stations, but Disney took a different stance.

The company chose to bring Kimmel back on the air, a decision that sparked a flurry of reactions from fans, media outlets, and celebrities alike.

Related: Disney Stock Takes a Hit as Kimmel Suspension Sparks Streaming Chaos

The decision triggered a fierce backlash, with outraged fans protesting outside Disney’s Burbank studio and several Disney stars urging fans to cancel their Disney+ subscriptions and planned vacations. The controversy had financial ramifications as well, with Disney’s stock dropping over 2%, translating to a loss of approximately $4.4 billion. The widespread cancellations of Disney+ subscriptions added fuel to the fire, causing a significant disruption for the company.

As the tension surrounding the suspension grew, Disney executives met with Kimmel and his legal team in an effort to come to an agreement. Ultimately, Disney announced on September 22 that Kimmel would return to the air the following day. In their statement, Disney explained that Kimmel’s comments were deemed “insensitive,” but after “having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy,” the network opted to reinstate him.

Related: ‘The View’ Weighs In After ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Shake-Up Leaves Fans Furious

Roseanne Barr, who had been fired by Disney years earlier for her own controversial remarks, felt that Kimmel’s reinstatement exposed a significant double standard. Barr was let go from her role in Roseanne after she tweeted that former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett resembled a combination of “the Muslim brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.”

The tweet led to widespread backlash and calls for accountability, and Barr later claimed that the incident was the result of taking Ambien, a sleep aid. However, the controversy resulted in Barr’s firing, and her popular TV show was canceled. The remaining cast of Roseanne returned for a spinoff series, The Conners, but Barr was left out.

In an interview with NewsNation on September 23, Barr didn’t hold back her feelings on the matter.

It just shows how they think. I got my whole life ruined, no forgiveness, all of my work stolen, and called a racist for time and eternity, for racially misgendering someone.”

Barr also took aim at Kimmel himself, calling attention to the hypocrisy she perceived. Kimmel had publicly criticized her after her tweet, calling her racist. Barr responded:

[Kimmel] called me a racist even though I said repeatedly, which they repeatedly censored, that it was a mistake. I thought that the woman was a white woman from Iran.

Related: Roseanne Barr Blasts Bob Iger, Accuses Him of Racism in New Interview

This remark highlights the ongoing animosity between the two, with Barr suggesting that Kimmel was in no position to judge her, given his own controversial history, including a past where he appeared in blackface while impersonating basketball player Karl Malone on The Man Show.

Even outside of the entertainment industry, the controversy continues to stir the pot. Former President Donald Trump, who has often been at odds with Kimmel, has threatened to go after Disney and ABC, saying he would “test” them.

Additionally, Disney shareholders have raised concerns about the company’s decision-making process, with some requesting documentation regarding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid allegations that the decision was influenced by “improper political or affiliate considerations.”

What do you think about the handling of both Roseanne Barr and Jimmy Kimmel’s situations? Do you believe that Disney treated Barr unfairly, or is this a case of differing circumstances? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!