Disney Gears Up for Legal Fight With Trump Over Kimmel’s Return

Sept. 24, 2025, 9:44 PM UTC

Walt Disney Co. is preparing for President Donald Trump to retaliate against the company for putting late-night host Jimmy Kimmel back on the air Tuesday night.

The company had been anticipating the Trump administration might go after its broadcast TV licenses even before ABC’s late-show host made his controversial Sept. 15 remarks about the murderer of activist Charlie Kirk, two people familiar with the company’s thinking said.

Under the Trump administration, major media companies have faced unprecedented challenges. The president himself has sued several companies for alleged bias, in some cases winning settlements that angered free-speech advocates, and members ...

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