Disney Faces Growing Boycott Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension After Charlie Kirk Remarks; FCC Threatens Action
Disney Faces Growing Boycott Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension After Charlie Kirk Remarks; FCC Threatens Action
Disney is currently facing a significant backlash and calls for a boycott following ABC’s decision to suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. The suspension comes after Kimmel made controversial remarks concerning the conservative activist Charlie Kirk“>assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The internet is ablaze with users sharing proof of canceled subscriptions to Disney-owned streaming services and halted vacations to Disney properties. Protests have also erupted outside the corporate headquarters in Burbank, California, while disgruntled Disney+ and Hulu subscribers flood social media and customer service channels.
Amidst the controversy, Hollywood celebrities are publicly expressing support for Kimmel and criticizing Disney’s indefinite suspension, which reportedly came under pressure from the FCC. Several prominent actors, including Tatiana Maslany of ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ and Marisa Tomei (Aunt May in ‘Spider-Man’), have amplified calls to boycott Disney, urging followers to cancel their Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions.
Writer and producer Damon Lindelof, known for ‘Lost,’ has also voiced solidarity with Kimmel, threatening to cease working for Disney if the suspension is not lifted. The financial implications for Disney could be substantial, particularly as streaming services and theme parks have been crucial for recent earnings growth. The company’s latest report showed Disney+ nearing 128 million subscribers, with the streaming segment boosting profits.
The controversy intensified after Kimmel criticized what he called the ‘MAGA gang’ for politicizing Kirk’s murder. Subsequently, FCC Chair Brendan Carr deemed Kimmel’s comments ‘truly sick’ and hinted at regulatory action against ABC and Disney, stating, ‘we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way.’ Major affiliate groups, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting, have already preempted Kimmel’s show, with Sinclair demanding an apology and a substantial donation from Kimmel.
Following the suspension, Carr reiterated, ‘we’re not done yet.’ While Carr’s stance has garnered support from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, some conservatives, like Senator Ted Cruz, have raised alarms about potential governmental infringement on free speech. Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, criticized Carr’s remarks as ‘dangerous as hell,’ warning against government influence over broadcast content and expressing concern that such actions, while seemingly targeting Kimmel today, could be used to silence conservatives in the future.
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