Ex-Disney CEO tears into leaders not "standing up against bullies" for Kimmel
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Michael Eisner attends Sportico Invest West at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on May 8, 2025. Photo: JC Olivera/Sportico via Getty Images
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner went scorched earth Friday on ABC's decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel's program after pressure from Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr.
Why it matters: Eisner, who led Disney for more than 20 years, joins a chorus of comedians, actors and public figures defending Kimmel after his suspension.
What he said: "Where has all the leadership gone?" Eisner asked in an X post Friday afternoon. "If not for university presidents, law firm managing partners, and corporate chief executives standing up against bullies, who then will step up for the first amendment?"
- Eisner called the suspension the result of an "aggressive yet hollow" threat by the FCC against Disney and "yet another example of out-of-control intimidation."
- "Maybe the Constitution should have said, 'Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, except in one's political or financial self-interest,'" he wrote.
- Eisner didn't name any Disney leaders in his post. Representatives for Disney did not respond to Axios' request for comment Friday.
Catch up quick: ABC's decision to pull Kimmel's late-night show came after Carr, a Trump appointee, warned the network about potential action after Kimmel criticized conservatives over their response to Charlie Kirk's killing.
- ABC's suspension fueled debate about free speech. Comedians and actors backed Kimmel, while some conservatives — including President Trump — praised the FCC.
Flashback: Eisner and Kimmel briefly overlapped at Disney/ABC. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" debuted in 2003 — roughly two years before Eisner resigned from Disney's board.
- "By-the-way, for the record, this ex-CEO finds Jimmy Kimmel very talented and funny," Eisner wrote Friday.
Zoom out: Eisner's exit from Disney paved the way for current CEO Bob Iger. The two have reportedly had a good relationship over the years.
- In an X post last year, Eisner fully backed Iger during a board fight with investors, saying the company was "in excellent hands" under his leadership.
- "Bringing in someone who doesn't have experience in the company or the industry to disrupt Bob and his eventual successor is playing not only with fire but earthquakes and hurricanes as well," he wrote.
Go deeper: Comedians, actors urge ABC to bring back Jimmy Kimmel
