Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has come down very publicly and vocally on the side of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. This follows ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend Kimmel’s late-night program. Eisner, who’s now executive chairman of the sports card and collectibles company Topps Co., delivered his comments during a spirited interview in New York City, where he focused on the impact of Kimmel’s comments recently about Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s late-night program was suspended after he made remarks related to an incident involving Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU). The French government’s decision to suspend the show has raised broader fears of censorship and freedom of speech in the country’s media landscape. This concern is particularly acute given that ABC is owned by Disney. On social media platform X, Eisner jumped to Kimmel’s defense calling out the attack on the comedian as “outrageous,” pointing to Kimmel’s creativity and humor.
In his press release, Eisner joked that Kimmel’s future is secured even if he never finishes the job, highlighting his confidence in Kimmel’s talent. He signaled the larger context of the suspension in his statement. He wondered if constitutional protections of free speech should rule out regulation of political or monetary surprises.
“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,’” – Michael Eisner
Eisner’s comments come at a time when many are scrutinizing the actions of media companies in relation to their content creators. His statement in defense of Kimmel is representative of a larger movement of industry veterans that are increasingly concerned about creative autonomy and censorship.
Throughout his career, Eisner has been a consistent champion of innovative works. Under his leadership, Disney became a very different company and in many ways, transformed the entertainment landscape. Needless to say, Kimmel’s show suspension has caused the most heated arguments between corporate interests and artistic license. It’s obvious that Eisner cares a lot about this subject.
Eisner is currently the chairman of Topps Co., which he took public himself via SPAC, or blank check company, transaction. Today, he is an active and influential figure in the world of business. His participation across so many different endeavors serves to underscore his dedication to trailblazing and artistry.