Over the last several years, clashes between politics and entertainment have grown increasingly public. What once might have been behind-the-scenes disputes or private negotiations now play out in real time, on television screens, across social media feeds, and through fiery statements from both sides. Few figures embody this ongoing collision between politics and media more than Donald Trump.
ABC, as part of the Walt Disney Company, has often found itself caught in the middle of these confrontations. The network’s mix of hard news, daytime talk, and late-night programming has become a lightning rod for criticism, sparking reactions that reverberate far beyond studio walls.
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When controversies erupt, the fallout rarely stays confined to one program or one journalist—it ripples across the entertainment industry, igniting debates about speech, responsibility, and corporate leadership.
The relationship between Trump and ABC has long been rocky. Earlier this year, the company dismissed White House correspondent Terry Moran after a controversial tweet. In that post—later deleted—Moran described Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller as “world-class haters.” The firing was seen by many as emblematic of the strained ties between ABC and the former president.
Trump has directed his criticism toward others affiliated with the network as well. Over time, he has expressed disdain for the hosts of The View, Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos, and even late-night figure Jimmy Kimmel.
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That hostility flared again when ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl questioned Trump on September 16. Karl referenced Attorney General Pam Bondi’s pledge to “go after hate speech” following the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. He also pointed out that many Trump supporters reject the concept of “hate speech,” instead viewing all speech as “free speech”.
In a move that startled many in the White House press corps, Trump responded directly to Karl with fiery words:
Sheʼll probably go after people like you, because you treat me so unfairly. You have a lot of hate in your heart. Maybe they will come after ABC. ABC paid me $16 million recently for a form of hate speech. Your company paid me $16 million for a form of hate speech, so maybe they will have to go after you.
Look, we want everything to be fair. It hasnʼt been fair. And the radical left has done tremendous damage to the country, but weʼre fixing it. We have right now the hottest country anywhere in the world. Remember, one year ago, our country was dead, and now Washington, D.C. is fixed and I fixed it!
The remarks arrived just a day before Disney and ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the host’s comments on the Charlie Kirk shooting and Trump. The decision fueled immediate backlash. The Producers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America voiced disapproval, while high-profile figures like Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, David Letterman, and former President Barack Obama condemned Disney’s choice.
Even actors Marisa Tomei and Tatiana Maslany joined the growing chorus of critics, calling on fans to boycott Disney and cancel Disney+ subscriptions.
On September 19, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner publicly entered the conversation, sharply questioning Bob Iger’s leadership. Eisner asked, “Where has all the leadership gone?” highlighting discontent within Disney’s own legacy ranks.
Related: Jimmy Kimmel Hit with List of Demands Before Return to Airwaves
Members of Trump’s administration also kept pressure on Disney and ABC in the aftermath of the controversy. FCC head Brendan Carr warned that the company could take the “easy way or the hard way” in handling disputes. Even after Kimmel’s suspension, Carr suggested that the FCC might investigate The View for violating the equal opportunity rule, though that standard applies to news programs, not daytime talk shows.
Disney has not offered detailed comments on Kimmel’s status, but is said to be in discussions about his potential return. Whether or not the comedian issues an apology could determine the outcome, but at this point, nothing definitive has been announced.
What do you think about Donald Trump repeatedly threatening to “go after” networks he does not like? Do you believe the FCC should have a say in these matters, or does that risk infringing on First Amendment protections? And should Disney and ABC reinstate Jimmy Kimmel right away? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Anybody notice Carr and Trump didn’t go after FOX and Brian Kilmeade about his comment to lethally inject homeless people to get them off the streets? Rules must be different for snowflakes MAGAs and snowflake Trump