Michael Eisner on Kimmel Suspension: “Where Has All the Leadership Gone?”
Michael Eisner, who led the Walt Disney Company as CEO from 1984 to 2005, has spoken out against the company’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. Disney sidelined Kimmel after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pressured the company over his remarks about reactions to Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting.
In a post on X, Eisner laments, “Where has all the leadership gone?” He also suggests, sarcastically, that the Constitution should be amended to read: “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, except in one’s political or financial self-interest.” It’s a scathing critique from a man who helped revitalize Disney in the 80s and 90s.
Eisner closed his post by voicing support for Kimmel: “For the record, this ex-CEO finds Jimmy Kimmel very talented and funny.” You can read his full message below.
“Where has all the leadership gone? If not for university presidents, law firm managing partners, and corporate chief executives standing up against bullies, who then will step up for the First Amendment? The “suspending indefinitely” of Jimmy Kimmel immediately after the Chairman of the FCC’s aggressive yet hollow threatening of the Disney Company is yet another example of out-of-control intimidation. Maybe the Constitution should have said, ‘Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, except in one’s political or financial self-interest.’ By the way, for the record, this ex-CEO finds Jimmy Kimmel very talented and funny.”
Eisner’s remarks underscore growing concern that major corporations are too quick to bow to pressure from the current administration. After all, Kimmel’s comments were tame compared to the usual fare on late-night TV.
Read more: Balancing Values and Business: Disney’s Shift in DEI Messaging
