Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Disney's Shocking 'Back Off Trump' Directive Post-January 6th

Late-night powerhouse Jimmy Kimmel has pulled back the curtain on a tense moment with his network's parent company, Disney, revealing he was instructed to "back off" his relentless criticism of former President Donald Trump following the tumultuous events of January 6th, 2021.

Kimmel, known for his sharp wit and often politically charged commentary on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," shared the startling anecdote on the hit podcast "Strike Force Five." He recounted how an intermediary delivered the message from "the Disney brass," a directive he emphatically ignored, continuing his pointed critiques of Trump.

The comedian expressed profound frustration and disbelief at the time.

"I said, 'How much longer can we go? What is it going to take?'" Kimmel recounted, detailing his internal struggle with the instruction. He felt a strong obligation, as a host on a Disney-owned network, to speak out against actions that he believed undermined democracy, especially in the wake of the Capitol attack.

For Kimmel, the network's reputation and its role in public discourse were at stake, questioning how much more damage Trump needed to inflict before media outlets would reconsider their approach to covering him.

Kimmel's candor on "Strike Force Five"—a podcast featuring late-night titans Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, created to support their striking staff—has offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes pressures faced by hosts who often navigate the intersection of entertainment and politics.

The podcast has been a treasure trove of anecdotes, from shared experiences of network notes to the unique challenges posed by the WGA strike.

His defiance of the alleged Disney directive underscores a deeper tension between corporate interests and the perceived journalistic or satirical duties of late-night hosts.

For Kimmel, his conviction to speak truth to power, especially in moments of national crisis, evidently outweighed any corporate pressure to soften his stance on a highly polarizing figure. This revelation not only highlights Kimmel's unwavering commitment to his perspective but also ignites conversation about the boundaries of political commentary within major media conglomerates.