In September 2025, ABC (Disney-owned) suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel's monologue criticizing MAGA supporters over the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comments sparked bipartisan backlash, with President Trump celebrating the suspension and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatening a probe. Conservative affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair pulled the show, prompting Disney to suspend it on September 18.
The decision triggered a boycott, with celebrities like John Oliver, Tatiana Maslany, and Jean Smart urging fans to cancel Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions. Over 1.7 million subscriptions were canceled in a week, costing Disney $4–6.4 billion in market value. Protests and online campaigns amplified the pressure.
Disney reinstated Kimmel on September 23, with the show returning September 24 to 6.5 million viewers, though ratings later dropped to 2.3 million. The saga highlighted tensions over free speech and corporate influence, proving consumer boycotts can force rapid reversals.