U.S. FCC to review Disney’s ABC station licenses after Trump complains about Jimmy Kimmel joke
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has ordered an early review of Disney-owned ABC station licenses following a joke by Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump, prompting calls from the Trump administration for ABC to fire him. The move marks a new challenge for Disney's CEO Josh D’Amaro amid heightened tensions between the White House and media outlets. Kimmel defended his comment as satire and not a threat, while advocacy groups have rallied in support of free speech. The FCC's action could potentially lead to the revocation of ABC’s broadcast licenses.
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Open this photo in gallery:Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 15.Mike Blake/ReutersShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountAfter a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel drew calls from the White House for ABC to fire the comedian, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday ordered an early license review of the network’s television stations.The standoff between President Donald Trump’s administration and the global entertainment conglomerate is the first crisis facing Walt Disney’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro.Last Thursday, Kimmel, whose late-night TV program airs on Disney’s ABC, did a send-up of the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, joking that First Lady…
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