The Donald Trump-backed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered the Walt Disney Company to submit early licence renewals for all its owned and operated television stations. This move is the latest attempt to target late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, following a controversial joke he made about First Lady Melania Trump.
Licence Renewal Order
In a filing by the FCC's Media Bureau on Tuesday, the company stated that "Disney's ABC is hereby directed to file licence renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days – in other words, by May 28, 2026." The licences were originally slated to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Background of the Investigation
The FCC filing is part of the agency's ongoing investigation into Disney's DEI practices during the FCC's ban of "unlawful discrimination." It also comes in the wake of Trump's fury after Kimmel joked about Melania Trump on his show.
Disney's Response
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, a Disney spokesperson said the company has received the FCC's order and noted its long record of "operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming."
"We are confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels," the spokesperson continued. "Our focus remains, as always, on serving viewers in the local communities where our stations operate."
Kimmel's Controversial Joke
On the April 23 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Kimmel appeared in a sketch as the host of an alternative White House Correspondents' dinner, poking fun at a Trump administration edict of not hiring a comedian to roast the president at the event. Among the jokes, Kimmel said Melania Trump had "a glow like an expectant widow," a joke he claimed was about the age difference between the first lady, 56, and the president, 79.
Aftermath of the Joke
Two days later, during the actual dinner at the Washington Hilton, a gunman rushed past a security checkpoint and fired several gunshots. Cole Allen was subsequently charged with attempting to assassinate the president, as well as two federal gun charges. After the assassination attempt, Melania took to social media to criticize Kimmel, stating he "shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate" and that the comedian "hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him."
On Monday, Trump blasted Kimmel's joke on Truth Social, making a connection between Kimmel and the assassination attempt. "Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC," Trump wrote. "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Kimmel's Response
On the same day the FCC called for the early licence renewals, Kimmel seemingly addressed the controversy by talking about the visit to the White House by King Charles and Queen Camilla. During the visit, Trump jokingly compared his parents' 63-year marriage to his union with Melania, saying, "That's a record we won't be able to match, darling. I'm sorry, just not going to work out that way. We'll do well, but we're not going to do that well – 63 years." Kimmel highlighted the hypocrisy of Trump's joke with his response: "Only Donald Trump would demand that I be fired for making a joke about his old age and then a day later, go out and make a joke about his old age."
Previous FCC Involvement
It is the second time the FCC has interjected itself in the Trump-Kimmel feud. In September, Kimmel's show was temporarily shelved following pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr after the comedian joked about the "MAGA gang" while responding to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. After public blowback, Kimmel returned to the airwaves within a week.
