U.S. federal regulators have launched a sweeping investigation into broadcast stations under Walt Disney. A biting joke by celebrity comedian Jimmy Kimmel that mocked President Trump and the first lady set it off. While some say it was satire that crossed the line, others note that political pressure on the media has become more explicit.
According to major foreign media on the 28th local time, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on this day ordered a probe into whether Disney-owned ABC terrestrial stations violated rules, including "illegal discriminatory practices," across the entire group. It is an unusual step for the FCC to reexamine the licenses of a major broadcaster across the board.
The investigation was triggered by on-air remarks from ABC's flagship talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. On the broadcast on the 23rd, Kimmel parodied the White House Correspondents' Dinner and said of the first lady, "Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow." The controversy grew two days later after an actual shooting occurred at the Washington Hilton hotel.
President Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania, pushed back immediately. The first lady said on her social media, X (formerly Twitter), "Kimmel is hiding behind the network because he knows ABC will protect him," adding, "It is time for ABC to act." Trump also said on Truth Social, "Kimmel's comment completely crossed the line," and argued, "Disney and ABC should fire him immediately." White House Spokesperson Stephen Cheung also strongly criticized Kimmel, calling him an "unacceptable figure."
Disney pushed back right away. The company said, "ABC and its stations have faithfully complied with FCC regulations and have provided their communities with reliable news and public service programming."
Observers say broadcast regulation has grown tougher under FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump. Carr has said he would "shatter the myth of the fake news media," even raising the possibility of canceling broadcast licenses. Still, analysts say actual license cancellations are unlikely to materialize given the protracted legal battles that would be inevitable.
Current and former FCC officials called the move "unprecedented pressure." Tom Wheeler, a former Chairperson who led the FCC under the Obama administration, said, "In 92 years of history, there has been no case like this," calling it "an overt threat against broadcasters." Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez also criticized the move as "illegal and not feasible."
Disney's license renewal timeline, originally slated for between 2028 and 2031, has also been moved up. The FCC ordered the licenses to be placed under review within 30 days.
As the controversy spread, Kimmel explained that it was "just satire and did not incite any violence." Still, some say the episode shows how vulnerable corporations are to political pressure. In fact, media company Paramount recently decided to cancel comedian Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show," which has been critical of Trump, sparking interpretations that it was trying to stay in the government's good graces ahead of approval for a media merger.
Disney also pulled Kimmel off the air once last year but brought him back after pushback from viewers and unions, drawing attention to what choice it will make this time. The clash is expected to be the first big test for Disney's new chief executive officer, Josh D'Amaro, who took office in February.
Meanwhile, some say Trump's hard-line response reflects a "double standard." Trump recently stirred controversy by saying of the death of Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who investigated him, "I'm glad he's dead."