Disney Shareholders Launch Legal Bid for Records on jimmy Kimmel Suspension
LOS ANGELES, CA – A coalition of shareholders is demanding Disney release internal documents related to the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following pressure from a federal Communications Commissioner and former President Donald Trump, threatening legal action if the company doesn’t comply. The demand, formalized in a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, centers on concerns that Disney prioritized avoiding government scrutiny over its fiduciary duty to shareholders.
The groups, represented by lawyers from Clark Smith Villazor LLP, Kaplan Martin LLP, and the Democracy Defenders Fund, are seeking records detailing the “actual or potential financial, contractual, or reputational impact” on Disney stemming from threats by Nexstar or sinclair to preempt the show’s airing. The request comes amid Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, which requires FCC approval.
The controversy began after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr publicly called for Disney to take action against Kimmel following a monologue critical of former President Trump. Trump subsequently posted on his social media platform,Truth Social,on September 23,2025,stating,”I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do,” and referencing a previous $16 million payment from ABC.
Shareholders argue the suspension, and subsequent return of the show, sparked criticism of free speech, boycotts, and union support for Kimmel, while also causing Disney’s stock to decline due to fears of brand damage and accusations of government overreach.
“Disney shareholders deserve the truth about exactly what went down inside the company after Brendan Carr’s threat to punish ABC unless action was taken against Jimmy kimmel,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “The Disney board has a legal responsibility to act in the best interests of its shareholders – and we are seeking answers to discover if that bond was broken to kowtow to the Trump administration.”
Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders USA, added, “The FCC continues to threaten media organizations over content it doesn’t like and, in the case of Kimmel, dozens of affiliates are still refusing to air his show. The public needs to know how government actions toward the media unfolded in this instance, so we can stop this reckless assault on the First Amendment from going any further.”
The shareholders’ letter highlights that the situation remains unresolved, even with Kimmel’s return to late night, and underscores concerns about potential future interference with self-reliant journalism.
