Disney is facing a new legal threat over its now-lifted suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, this time brought by a consortium of its own shareholders.
Attorneys representing the American Federation of Teachers, Reporters Without Borders, and other organizations that identify as Disney shareholders delivered a letter Wednesday to CEO Bob Iger demanding access to internal records. Semafor‘s Max Tani was first to report on the letter.
The groups allege Disney may have put “improper political or affiliate considerations” ahead of its duty to shareholders and warned they could take legal action if the company does not comply.
The letter seeks board minutes, policies, emails, and financial analyses tied to Kimmel’s nearly weeklong absence.
It points to pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and ABC affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which refused to carry the program. Kimmel was pulled from the air September 17, two days after he discussed the politicization of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination in his monologue.
The suspension drew swift backlash. Unions rallied behind Kimmel, boycotts were threatened, and Disney stock took a hit on fears the company had given in to censorship.
After five days, Disney reinstated Kimmel and the show returned September 23, but Nexstar and Sinclair have continued to preempt it, leaving Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air in over twenty percent of the country.
Writing on Truth Social shortly before Kimmel returned to the air, President Donald Trump indicated that he too is considering legal action against ABC for reinstating the host. “I think we’re going to test ABC out on this,” he wrote. “Let’s see how we do.”
Shareholders gave Disney five business days to respond. If it refuses, they say they will ask a court to compel the company to hand over the records and could pursue a lawsuit against its board.
That’s utterly hilarious! Go Federated Teachers! Go Reporters Without Borders! Pretty clean cut group…
After so many ginormous mergers and acquisitions, the basis businesses of these companies (entertainment and news) became redundant long ago. It’s all finance now.
Why is it just coming out now that the deal Sinclair wants, to buy another large group of stations, is currently ILLEGAL, yet they are just going ahead with it assuming that doesn’t matter one bit to this fetid administration?
Shareholders, by law, are the #1 corporate responsibility. Regardless of one’s opinion about that, it is a tool to be used right now against this ugly trend of forcing obsolete standards on contemporary performers. No-one; not Carr, not Donald, nor the minions of old white men living in the past, can turn back time.
Actually, it’s Nexstar that wants to buy another large group of stations (in this case, Tegna).