Trumps Call for Disney to Fire Jimmy Kimmel, FCC Orders Early License Renewal

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) order came a day after President and Mrs. Trump called for Walt Disney Co. to fire talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. 

The Comments: Kimmel said the first lady had a "glow like an expectant widow" on April 23, two days before the assassination attempt on Trump and his administration officials at a White House Correspondents' Dinner. 

Mrs. Trump stated on Monday, "Kimmel's hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn't comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America." She continued, "People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him. Enough is enough." President Trump said, "Kimmel should be immediately fired." 

Kimmel responded on his show that night, saying, "[It] obviously was a joke about their age difference... It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost eighty and she's younger than I am." 

FCC Investigation: The FCC ordered Disney to file early license renewal applications for its eight ABC television stations (originally scheduled between 2028 and 2031) on Tuesday, citing possible discrimination and violations of The Communications Act of 1934. 

For Context: The FCC began investigating Disney in March 2025, specifically probing potential acts of discrimination. In March 2026, FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened not to renew several news broadcasters' licenses (not specific to Disney) over their coverage of the Iran War.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" underwent a brief suspension after the talk show host made controversial comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Disney later renewed the show until May 2027. 

How The Media Covered It: News media across the spectrum gave voice to defenses of Kimmel in support of free speech. CBS News (Lean Left bias) quoted Kimmel, "Donald Trump is allowed to say whatever he wants to say, as are you and as am I, as are all of us." United Press International (Center) gave voice to a critic who said, "It would be difficult to imagine an outcome more corrosive to democracy or more offensive to the First Amendment." And Washington Examiner (Lean Right) highlighted FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez's statement that "The First Amendment is on [Kimmel/Disney's] side." However, the Examiner also emphasized that "Carr maintains the move is well within the commission's authority."

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