Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner Slams Leadership Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

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Michael Eisner, the ex-CEO of Disney, has publicly criticized the current leadership’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel.

Even Michael Eisner, the executive who modernized Disney and made it a major entertainment leader, has publicly criticized the company. This highlights how much Disney has declined under Bob Iger’s leadership. Eisner, who led Disney from 1984 to 2005, used social media to express his disapproval of the company’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel.

His recent statements are generating a lot of news, but they also reveal the complicated and problematic state of affairs within Disney.

Eisner Speaks Out

Michael Eisner publicly criticized current management following the suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* after Kimmel made controversial comments regarding an assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk.

It’s concerning how few leaders are defending free speech. With university presidents, law firm leaders, and CEOs often remaining silent when facing pressure, who will stand up for First Amendment rights? The immediate and indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel following…

— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) September 19, 2025

Michael Eisner recently questioned the lack of leadership in response to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension after a threat from the FCC to Disney. In a post on X, Eisner asked who will defend the First Amendment if leaders like university presidents, law firm heads, and CEOs don’t stand up to intimidation. He sees Kimmel’s indefinite suspension as another instance of this out-of-control behavior and jokingly suggested the Constitution might need to specify that free speech can be limited when it affects someone’s political or financial interests. Eisner also made it clear that he personally thinks Kimmel is a talented and funny comedian.

Michael Eisner thought Disney’s decision to take Kimmel off the air showed weakness, like the company was giving in to pressure from regulators and politicians. However, he’s overlooking a key part of what’s really going on.

The Part Eisner Left Out

You know, Eisner left out a pretty important detail about why Jimmy Kimmel got in trouble. It wasn’t some issue of him just pushing boundaries with his jokes or about free speech, really. It was actually about the stuff he was saying – a lot of people, including Megyn Kelly, a journalist who’s been around the block, think he was deliberately spreading false information. That’s what really caused the problem, as far as I understand it.

During a recent monologue, Jimmy Kimmel made a false claim that the person who attacked Charlie Kirk was a supporter of President Trump. This statement was demonstrably untrue, unsupported by the facts, and presented not as satire or opinion, but as a statement of fact.

Kelly explained the issue simply: this wasn’t an accidental error. Kimmel had previously highlighted his fact-checking team and their thoroughness. Because of this, many people saw it as a purposeful effort to influence the political conversation.

Broadcasting something to millions of people on a major network isn’t just a matter of free speech – it also carries legal responsibility.

The FCC and Affiliate Pressure

The backlash to Kimmel’s comments was swift. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr strongly criticized them, raising the possibility of investigations into Disney and ABC. Stations affiliated with these networks worried about potential regulatory issues, and advertisers started reconsidering their advertising deals.

Disney executives were under intense scrutiny from various groups, including government regulators, business partners, and sponsors. They had to decide whether to stand by Jimmy Kimmel and his controversial show, or prioritize the company’s interests. Ultimately, they decided to protect the business.

Bob Iger and Dana Walden pulled the plug, suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely.”

Disney Can’t Win

Disney found itself caught in a crossfire of criticism. Those on the right focused on what they saw as inaccurate information spread by Jimmy Kimmel, arguing it showed the network’s leaning. Meanwhile, those on the left, along with union supporters, defended Kimmel and demonstrated outside Disney’s offices in California and New York. Adding to the conflict, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has now publicly criticized current CEO Bob Iger’s leadership.

Instead of clarity, Disney projects confusion. Instead of strength, weakness.

Eisner vs. Iger

It’s easy to see what Michael Eisner is really saying. He’s publicly doubting the current Disney leadership, which is especially pointed coming from the person who used to be so firmly in control. His comments resonate because they reflect what many investors, employees, and viewers already feel: Disney doesn’t seem to be as strong or stable as it once was.

Eisner’s argument about free speech doesn’t quite hold up. Kimmel isn’t facing consequences for his political views, but because he misled his audience, which caused concern with regulators. This is a completely separate issue.

The Bigger Picture

The recent dispute between Michael Eisner and Disney goes beyond just the Jimmy Kimmel situation. It highlights a deeper problem: Disney is struggling to maintain trust with its audience, is losing viewers, and seems unable to shape its own public image.

This recent situation with Disney has become another point of contention for its critics, who see a pattern of ongoing crises. Those who support Jimmy Kimmel believe this is an example of unfair political pressure being used to silence him, and former CEO Michael Eisner views it as a chance to criticize current leadership for not adequately safeguarding the company’s reputation.

Ultimately, Jimmy Kimmel faced consequences not for his humor or opinions, but because he shared false information that caused significant legal and regulatory problems for Disney.

The company is in a difficult position, forced to justify actions that are hard to defend while also upsetting its supporters. Michael Eisner’s criticism only makes things worse, highlighting concerns that even those who previously led Disney believe the company lacks direction.

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2025-09-20 16:58