Disney faces boycott backlash after ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel show, Trump cites ‘bad rating’ as reason

Disney is facing mounting backlash after its subsidiary, ABC, suspended the late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely on Wednesday. The decision followed remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel on the show, regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on 10 September at Utah Valley University.

The suspension has triggered widespread outrage across social media, with users accusing ABC of succumbing to political pressure and infringing upon free speech. They said it sets a troubling precedent for censoring commentary, particularly from comedians.

Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel show yanked off air: Chris Hayes blasts Trump's 'crackdown on free speech'— here's what he said

One user on X posted a screenshot of their Disney+ account, saying they had cancelled their subscription in protest, writing, “Just cancelled my Disney+ and HULU subscription because ABC caved to Trump's and Carr's fascism.”

Another user echoed this sentiment, urging others to “Hit them where it hurts: the $$$.”

Also Read: Charlie Kirk Day: US Senate passes resolution to create National Day of Remembrance for slain far-right activist

A user said, “I have cancelled my Disney+ subscription and cancelled an upcoming trip. As much as I have loved Disney in my life, the First Amendment and the Constitution mean more to me than any entertainment company ever could. What ABC did yesterday is disgusting and ultimately UnAmerican.”

A user wrote, “Hey ⁦@hulu⁩, now that you’re Donald Trump’s personal lapdog, I see people are canceling their subscriptions. Doesn’t pay to suck up to fascism. ⁦@Disney”

Similar calls for action have also circulated on Reddit.

What did Trump say?

US President Donald Trump, speaking during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, defended ABC's decision, saying, “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk."

Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel has ‘ZERO talent’: Trump hails as ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ show taken off-air

Trump added that Jimmy Kimmel's suspension was driven by ratings concerns rather than an issue of “free speech”.

Trump said, “Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago. So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent.”

Also Read: Who is Jimmy Kimmel? ABC show host fired over remarks on Charlie Kirk's killing — know about his career and net worth

Trump's remarks came in response to a question on whether free speech is more threatened in the United States or the United Kingdom, as controversy continues to swirl around ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.

Also Read: US Begins Fierce Crackdown On Immigrants After Charlie Kirk Killing, Trump State Dept Issues Warning

Furthermore, Trump has said that the US broadcast networks should have their licenses reviewed if they are overly critical of him, marking his most sweeping threat to press freedom to date.

“When you have a network and you have evening shows, and all they do is hit Trump,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, reported Bloomberg. He added, “I would think maybe their license should be taken away.”

(With inputs from agencies)