ABC Station Owners and Advertisers Remain Silent on Calls to Fire Jimmy Kimmel Amid Controversy
Jimmy Kimmel Live! faced significant backlash in September 2025 after a controversial monologue joke related to the murder of Charlie Kirk. The joke, which critiqued the response of MAGA Republicans who attempted to blame Democratic rhetoric for the incident, nearly led to Kimmel’s dismissal. However, the current uproar following Kimmel’s recent joke about First Lady Melania Trump has not yet prompted a similar reaction from Disney’s top executives or advertisers.
Previous Controversy and Its Fallout
Last fall, FCC Chair Brendan Carr amplified social media outrage regarding Kimmel’s comments on a podcast hosted by conservative pundit Benny Johnson. Following this, ABC stations began contacting Disney’s senior management, expressing their concerns.
Kimmel remarked during his monologue, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” At the time, the political affiliations of the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, were unclear, with both political sides distancing themselves from him. It was later revealed that Robinson held liberal views, particularly on trans rights, contradicting Kimmel’s initial assumptions.
The controversy escalated when major affiliate groups, including Nexstar and Sinclair, threatened to withdraw their support for Jimmy Kimmel Live! unless Kimmel issued an apology and made a substantial donation to a conservative charity. In response, Disney’s then-CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden decided to temporarily suspend the show. Kimmel returned to the airwaves after a brief hiatus, without issuing an apology.
Recent Backlash Over New Joke
Recently, Kimmel faced renewed criticism for a joke made about Melania Trump, suggesting she had a “glow like an expectant widow.” This comment came just days before the White House Correspondents Dinner, during which a man, Cole Allen, attempted to breach the event with a weapon. He was subdued before reaching the venue and is now facing charges related to the incident.
Kimmel’s joke was perceived as a commentary on the President’s declining health and the public perception of Melania Trump’s feelings toward her husband. Despite the backlash, Kimmel did not apologize during the latest episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Instead, he reiterated his earlier explanation regarding the joke.
Former President Donald Trump responded to the situation by demanding Kimmel’s immediate termination from Disney and ABC via his Truth Social platform. Melania Trump also called for ABC to “take a stand” against Kimmel’s remarks.
Silence from Advertisers and Affiliates
Despite the uproar, there has been a notable absence of direct consequences for Kimmel from Disney’s business partners. Sources indicate that there have been no significant complaints from affiliates or advertisers, suggesting that they may not view the backlash as justified. Representatives from Nexstar and Sinclair have not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.
Potential Regulatory Pressure
Amid the controversy, there are indications of potential regulatory pressure. The FCC has informed Disney that it will be reviewing ABC’s broadcast license ahead of the previously scheduled renewal. A legal letter sent to Disney stated, “The FCC determines that calling in Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time… is essential within the meaning of agency regulations.”
Disney-owned ABC stations are now required to file for their license renewals within the next 30 days. In response, ABC has indicated that it is prepared to contest this decision in court.
The FCC is currently conducting two investigations into Disney and ABC, one focused on the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and another concerning an appearance on The View by Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico, which raised questions about equal opportunity rules.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-04-28 23:56:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk