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Disney is facing mounting pressure to take action against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. What began as a monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! has turned into a political and cultural flashpoint, with critics demanding the comedian be removed from ABC’s lineup.
Kimmel’s Monologue Sparks Outrage
During his show, Kimmel lashed out at Trump supporters, accusing them of trying to twist the narrative around Kirk’s murder.
“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,” Kimmel said.
He then mocked Donald Trump’s response to the tragedy, saying,
“He’s at the fourth stage of grief, construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
🚨 BREAKING: FCC is considering taking ACTION against Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, and ABC after Kimmel told his audience Charlie Kirk was kiIIed by a MAGA conservative, Chairman Carr said to @bennyjohnson
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to… pic.twitter.com/BVyXKA98Ng
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 17, 2025
Of course, there was one problem: According to The New York Times and numerous other reports, Kimmel’s framing is incorrect.
“The charges filed against Tyler Robinson on Tuesday in the killing of Charlie Kirk depicted him as a lone assassin with hardening left-wing, pro-L.G.B.T.Q. views that led him to violence… Mr. Robinson is evidently not a disgruntled member of the hard-right, white nationalist ‘groyper’ movement, as some on the left had insisted in recent days,” a report from The New York Times shared.
Demands for Disney to Step In
The backlash has been swift and intense. Former West Virginia state delegate Derrick Evans blasted Kimmel for misleading his audience, accusing him of lying about the shooter’s political affiliations.
Others went further, tagging ABC and Disney executives on X and threatening lawsuits. One user demanded “an on-air apology” or cancellation of the show, warning that “failure to comply will result in endless lawsuits.” Another said bluntly, “People like Jimmy Kimmel must have their careers completely destroyed.” One cut to the heart of the issue: “What the h*ll is so funny about a father of two children and a husband being killed?”
At the time of this writing, Jimmy Kimmel has not issued an apology.
Many now argue that the responsibility lies with Disney and ABC to remove Kimmel from the airwaves. Critics say the company is complicit in spreading misinformation and divisive rhetoric at a time when political tensions are already high.
Due to a Federal order, the American flags at Walt Disney World and Disneyland were flown at half mast through the weekend.
Disney’s Complicated Timing
The controversy comes as Kimmel’s future was already uncertain. Reports surfaced earlier this week that the host has been openly discussing retirement, with staffers describing him as “coming across as insensitive” while mulling his next steps. Workers on Jimmy Kimmel Live!—from writers to camera operators—are said to be worried about job security.
That puts Disney in a delicate position: protect its employees and brand by distancing itself from Kimmel, or face accusations of ignoring the firestorm while the company is already under political and cultural scrutiny. CEO Bob Iger has not issued any statement on Kimmel’s comments or his status.
A Divisive Moment for Disney
Social media reaction shows how divisive Kimmel has become, even among many of his fans. Some online users say Disney should cancel the show immediately, while others have doubled down on threats of “endless lawsuits” if the company does not respond. There have already been numerous figures —including a bevy of professors and teachers from schools across the country — who have lost their jobs after their comments about the assassination circulated online.
What Happens Next
For now, Disney and ABC have remained silent. But with Charlie Kirk’s memorial service set to take place this weekend and President Trump expected to attend, the controversy is likely to intensify rather than fade away.
As the pressure campaign builds, the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! may depend less on ratings or contracts and more on whether Disney decides it can afford to keep the embattled host on the air.
Kirk, a Christian and Conservative, is survived by his wife, Erika, and two children. His daughter turned 3 in August, and his son turned 1 in May.