Multiple ABC executives felt that Jimmy Kimmel had not crossed any editorial lines, but the top brass were “pissing themselves” in fear of blowback from the Trump administration, according to a new Rolling Stone report.
In the hours before Kimmel was suspended over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, executives at ABC, its parent company Disney, and affiliate stations reportedly scrambled in emergency meetings to limit fallout.
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Two sources told Rolling Stone that “several execs believe that Kimmel said nothing over the line,” but the fear of government retaliation won out.
“They were pissing themselves all day,” one ABC insider said.
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Status’ Oliver Darcy reported that it was “ultimately” Disney chief Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment chief Dana Walden who pushed for Kimmel’s suspension.
The move came after Brendan Carr, Trump’s chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), publicly slammed the comments and called on “individual licensed stations” to “step up” in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
Within hours, Nexstar, the largest national owner of local TV stations, leapt on the call and announced it would preempt Kimmel. Nexstar is eyeing the purchase of its rival TEGNA, but needs FCC approval. ABC soon followed with the suspension.
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During a monologue, Kimmel had mocked Trump’s handling of Kirk’s assassination, saying: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.” He also accused MAGA Republicans of trying to recast the suspect, Tyler Robinson, for political gain.
Trump celebrated Kimmel’s removal on Truth Social early Thursday.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” he wrote, calling Kimmel a man of “ZERO talent” and urging NBC to axe its own late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
ABC affiliates confirmed they would replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” though no timeframe has been given.
The post ABC Execs Were ‘Pissing Themselves’ Fearing Trump Blowback, Yanked Kimmel Despite Thinking He Didn’t Cross Line: Report first appeared on Mediaite.
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