Disney and Kimmel searched for way to defuse Kirk anger before show pulled

Walt Disney representatives and talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel raced to find the right words on Sept 17 to calm a social media furore that erupted following criticism of his remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Kimmel’s comments in his monologue on Sept 15 had angered many, and the reaction reached a fever pitch on Sept 17, including death threats that raised concerns for his safety and for his staff, the source said.

The late-night host prepared to make a statement, but Kimmel and Disney representatives could not find language that they agreed would not further inflame the situation, the source said.

As the show’s 4.30pm taping time approached, Disney chief executive Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairwoman Dana Walden agreed that the best approach would be to take the show off the air and later find a way to bring Kimmel back, the source said.

Ms Walden informed Kimmel of the decision.

A representative for Kimmel did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Executives will meet the host to discuss the future of his programme, Bloomberg News reported on Sept 18, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

Disney-owned ABC said on Sept 17 that it pulled the show off the air over comments by the host about the assassination of Mr Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of the non-profit Turning Point USA, and a close political ally of US President Donald Trump.

Many in Hollywood decried the decision, saying the company was bowing to political pressure and that it was an assault on free speech.

Kimmel, who has frequently targeted Mr Trump on his late-night comedy show, said in his monologue on Sept 15: “We hit some new lows over the weekend, with the Maga (Make America Great Again) gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

As Disney wrestled with the gathering social media controversy, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr, in a podcast appearance on Sept 17, said that Kimmel had misled viewers about the alleged shooter’s Maga affiliation.

Mr Carr also raised the possibility that the FCC could revoke the broadcast licences of local television stations that carry such “garbage”.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he said in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel.”

The nation’s largest local television station group, Nexstar Media, and Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many of ABC’s local TV affiliates, said they would stop airing the show following the monologue.

Sinclair said the show would be suspended until he apologises to the Kirk family.

Nexstar and Sinclair both have merger deals pending before the FCC.

Mr Trump, during a state visit to Britain on Sept 18, said Kimmel had been punished for saying “a horrible thing” about Mr Kirk, who is credited with building support for the US leader among young conservative voters. REUTERS