Disney CEO Bob Iger Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel After Stinging Rebuke from Michael Eisner
By DM-HTVTAN
September 24, 2025

In a stunning reversal that has reignited tensions within Hollywood and the corporate corridors of Disney, CEO Bob Iger has moved to reinstate late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, greenlighting the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! without demanding an apology from the embattled comedian.

The decision, reportedly made late Monday, comes amid mounting internal and external pressure following Kimmel’s controversial monologue on September 15, where he linked the MAGA movement to the tragic shooting death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

While Iger had initially suspended the show after fierce protests from major affiliate owners Sinclair and Nexstar, it was an unexpected and sharply worded post from his predecessor, Michael Eisner, that sources say ultimately tipped the scale.

The Eisner Factor

In a rare public rebuke, Eisner, 83, took to X (formerly Twitter) last week with a biting message:

“Where has all the leadership gone? 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.’”

According to Puck News, the jab landed squarely on Iger’s desk — and cut deep.

Insiders say Iger, long known for his thin skin and fraught relationship with Eisner, was “stung” by the public slap. The two men’s history is well-documented: a brutal succession battle in the early 2000s that left emotional scars and a long trail of corporate intrigue.

“Iger loathes Eisner,” one veteran Disney executive told Puck. “And to be shamed by him publicly? That’s the one button you don’t push.”

Kimmel Returns Without Apology

Despite backlash from some conservative circles and ongoing scrutiny from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Iger authorized the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! without requiring the host to apologize for his remarks about Kirk’s shooter.

That decision came as unions, A-list entertainers, and political figures blasted Disney for appearing to cave to political pressure. But Eisner’s post cut through the noise in a way no other criticism did.

“Michael doesn’t give a f— what anybody thinks if he believes he’s doing the right thing,” said a former Disney insider. “And sometimes it would bite him in the ass — but people respected it.”

A Fragile House of Mouse

Iger’s flip-flop comes at a sensitive time for Disney, which is struggling to maintain its cultural dominance amid a polarized political climate and a shifting media ecosystem.

Earlier this week, Iger and his wife Willow Bay, dean of USC’s Annenberg School, were scheduled to host a high-profile fundraiser for women in media at their Los Angeles estate. But the Kimmel suspension reportedly triggered a possible walkout by members of the event’s host committee.

“That fundraiser is one of those social capital events,” a Hollywood publicist told Puck. “If your house becomes ground zero for censorship accusations, you’re suddenly toxic.”

Eisner vs. Iger: A Rivalry Rekindled

The tension between Iger and Eisner stretches back more than two decades.

In the early 2000s, Disney under Eisner was in decline, suffering from box office flops, strained relationships with key partners (including Pixar), and a revolt from shareholders.

The climax came when 43% of Disney shareholders withheld support for Eisner, leading to his ouster as chairman — though he remained CEO until 2005.

Bob Iger emerged from that chaos as Eisner’s successor, in what many called a rigged, humiliating process. Though Eisner publicly named Iger his preferred choice, insiders said the search had been designed to benefit Iger from the start — a move that left bruised egos and lingering resentment.

Once in charge, Iger moved swiftly to distance Disney from Eisner’s top-down management style, rebuilding bridges with creative giants like Steve Jobs and the Pixar team.

Now, years later, Eisner’s rare public broadside suggests the wounds have not healed.

Free Speech vs. Corporate Control

The broader implications of Iger’s decision are reverberating far beyond late-night television. Critics argue that Kimmel’s suspension sent a dangerous signal that corporate media was willing to silence its own talent under political pressure.

Eisner’s post tapped into that frustration, igniting conversations not just in Hollywood boardrooms, but among creatives, journalists, and policy analysts.

“This was about more than Kimmel,” one union leader told Grok News. “It was about whether media companies will defend speech when it’s inconvenient.”

Kimmel’s Next Steps

As of Tuesday, Kimmel has not commented publicly on the reinstatement. Sources close to the show say production will resume this week, with new episodes expected by early next.

The host’s supporters, including Jean Smart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ben Stiller, had rallied behind him in recent days, amplifying calls for ABC to reverse course. The hashtag #FreeJimmy trended for over 48 hours.

“Comedy isn’t supposed to be comfortable,” Smart said in a recent Hollywood Reporter interview. “It’s supposed to challenge. Jimmy does that better than anyone.”

Conclusion: Disney Walks a Tightrope

While Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back on the air, the controversy has exposed deep fractures inside Disney and raised uncomfortable questions about how much creative freedom entertainers really have in today’s media landscape.

Whether Iger’s decision will restore calm or further inflame the situation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear:

Michael Eisner may no longer run Disney, but his voice still echoes loudly in its most critical moments.

And for Jimmy Kimmel, the show goes on — no apologies, no edits, and no compromises.

Word Count: ~1,270