The controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's talk show continues, as Disney's investors demand clarification on whether there is any political interference.

According to a report by Reuters, The Walt Disney Company has recently come under public scrutiny for temporarily suspending the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel ( Jimmy Kimmel Live ), with several investors sending a letter on Wednesday demanding the company disclose relevant documents to clarify whether the suspension decision involved improper political pressure or poor corporate governance.

Jimmy Kimmel's controversial remarks spark cancellation wave

The incident began on September 15, when host Jimmy Kimmel made comments about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on his show. His remarks were criticized by some viewers as "inappropriate" and "biased," sparking controversy on social media. According to multiple sources, senior officials in the Trump administration pressured Disney and its subsidiary ABC to take action.

Days later, the two major television groups Nexstar and Sinclair chose to suspend the broadcast of the episode, resulting in approximately 23% of households in the United States unable to watch it. The Jimmy Kimmel Show is a comedy talk show loved by American families, and there has never been a case of "political involvement in corporate governance" in the past. Ultimately, Disney suspended the show and conducted an internal review, but it raised external doubts about whether the company succumbed to political interference.

Disney investors question political interference and poor corporate governance.

The American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, and lawyers representing some shareholders of Reporters Without Borders have formally requested that Disney hand over documents related to the decision to suspend broadcasts. They hope to investigate whether the board violated its fiduciary duties due to political pressure or conflicts of interest, placing "political considerations" above the interests of the company and its shareholders.

The shareholders' letter also demands an assessment of the impact of the suspension on the company's revenue, as well as the specific relationship between Disney and Nexstar, Sinclair. The lawyer emphasized that if Disney fails to produce the documents within five working days, a lawsuit will be filed. Disney has not yet responded to the request for comment.

What is Jimmy Kimmel's political stance?

Since 2003, Kimmel has been known for his sharp satire of current affairs while hosting a late-night talk show. Particularly after Trump was elected president in 2016, he frequently became a target of verbal attacks from Trump and his supporters. Kimmel has unabashedly used the platform of his show to criticize Trump’s government policies, challenging conservative viewpoints with biting satire on issues ranging from immigration to pandemic handling. This stance has earned him the support of Democratic viewers but has also deepened his rift with the right-wing camp. Trump himself has repeatedly criticized Kimmel by name on social media, and some Republicans have even called for advertisers to boycott the show. This recent controversy over the show's suspension is widely viewed as the latest extension of the long-standing political confrontation between conservatives and Democrats.

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During the hosting process of the 2024 Oscars, Kimmel paused to read Trump's previous criticisms of his opening monologue, where Trump criticized him on Truth Social for being awkward and having poor viewership. Kimmel retorted, "Isn’t it past your jail time?" to mock Trump’s multiple legal troubles.

When he returned to the screen this year after the controversy surrounding the suspension, Kimmel recorded a return monologue that voiced concerns about Trump and his administration's actions. For example, he said, "The president has done everything he can to cancel my show," and "He (Trump) has strongly celebrated my loss of income and job," questioning censorship and political pressure. He also pointed out that if the government threatens to suppress comedians, it is an Anti-American act.

Long-term satire and criticism of Trump

Reports indicate that over the past year, Kimmel has had nearly nightly satirical bits targeting Trump and his supporters on his late-night show, such as referring to Trump supporters as "MAGA mouth-breathers." Before this controversy over the suspension, these satirical remarks were often seen by the outside world as signs of discord with the Trump camp.

Return to the screen, viewership reaches a new high.

Kimmel returned to the screen on the evening of September 21, where he tearfully responded to the controversy he caused in a low-key manner. According to ABC, approximately 6.26 million viewers tuned in that night, setting a record for Kimmel's highest ratings in over a decade, which actually increased his popularity more than ever.

Although the entire episode was not broadcast in full across the United States, it still showcased Kimmel's influence. Supporters argue that the political pressure he faced highlights the dangers of restricted freedom of speech; critics accuse him of abusing the primetime platform for political attacks. This controversy not only challenges Disney's balance between press freedom and commercial interests, but also once again underscores the complex and tangled relationship between Hollywood's entertainment industry and the American Republican Party.

This article discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's talk show, where Disney's investors are requesting clarification on whether there has been any political interference. It first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.