On September 17, 2025, Disney and ABC made an unexpected announcement: Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pulled from the air after Jimmy Kimmel made critical comments about former President Donald Trump. The suspension of Kimmel, a prominent late-night host, stirred up a firestorm within the entertainment industry.
Questions surrounding the balance between free speech and corporate interests began to surface, with many speculating about the reasons behind Disney's swift action.
Related: Jimmy Kimmel Hit with List of Demands Before Return to Airwaves
The move to suspend Kimmel caught many by surprise, including notable figures within the entertainment industry. The Producers Guild, the Writers Guild, and the Screen Actors Guild quickly condemned the decision, as did comedians like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. Former President Barack Obama also voiced concerns, calling attention to the implications of Disney’s actions.
It wasn’t just about one comedian’s suspension; it became a conversation about the influence of corporate power on the freedom of expression within the entertainment industry.
In the wake of Kimmel's suspension, protests erupted outside The Walt Disney Company’s Burbank studio lot. A group of disgruntled individuals gathered, holding signs that decried Disney for failing to stand up for free speech. The protests were sparked by concerns that Disney's decision set a dangerous precedent for the entertainment industry.
Related: Inside Disney’s Business Decision to Remove Jimmy Kimmel
As Kimmel's statements gained traction, the issue took on a new dimension when Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), made his stance clear on a conservative podcast. Carr's comments sent shockwaves through the industry and intensified the controversy surrounding Kimmel's suspension.
This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.
Following Kimmel's show's suspension, Carr appeared on The Scott Jennings Radio Show, where he took aim at The View, another ABC show that has been highly critical of the Trump administration.
Carr implied that the FCC might expand its scrutiny to The View, suggesting that the show’s political content could be a violation of the rules set forth by the FCC.
When you look at these other TV shows, what’s interesting is the FCC does have a rule called the equal opportunity rule. But there’s an exception to that rule called the bona fide news exception, which means if you are a bona fide news program, you don’t have to abide by the equal opportunity rule.
And over the years, the FCC has developed a body of case law on that and has suggested that most of these late night shows, other than SNL, are bona fide news programs. And potentially I would assume you can make the argument that The View is a bona fide news show, but I’m not so sure about that, and I think it’s worthwhile to have the FCC look into whether The View and some of the programs that you have still qualify as bona fide news programs and therefore exempt from the equal opportunity regime that Congress has put in place.
Related: Donald Trump Takes Aim at ‘The View,’ Warns Show’s Future Could Be in Jeopardy
Carr’s comments fueled the fire, as many people now wondered whether the Trump administration would extend its campaign against the entertainment industry to one of the most influential daytime talk shows in America. The View has long been a platform for political discourse, with outspoken hosts who have voiced their criticism of President Trump and his policies.
The FCC’s investigation into the show seemed imminent, and it raised significant questions about the limits of political expression in the media.
This wasn’t the first time The View had faced backlash from the Trump administration. Earlier this year, there were reports that Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney, and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic had asked the hosts of The View to temper their criticisms of Trump.
The request was met with resistance, and the issue faded away. But this time, with Carr’s public comments, the stakes felt much higher.
The View remains a dominant force in daytime television, and its hosts have continued to offer strong political opinions, often taking on conservative figures and policies. However, with the increased scrutiny from the FCC and the looming threat from the Trump administration, many wonder how much longer the show will remain free to express its opinions.
Despite this growing pressure, The View has continued to steer clear of addressing the Kimmel suspension. On the morning after Kimmel’s show was pulled, the hosts made a deliberate decision not to comment on the situation. Many interpreted this silence as a sign that ABC was trying to avoid further controversy, especially in light of the FCC's potential actions.
Do you think Disney and ABC should stand up to Brendan Carr and the FCC if they attempt to go after The View? Should Disney push back against the Trump administration's threats, or should they focus on protecting their corporate interests? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
