Bill O’Reilly Claims Disney May Spend $1B Defending Jimmy Kimmel Over ‘Widow’ Joke Controversy

Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly has warned that Disney may spend up to $1 billion defending late-night host Jimmy Kimmel amid a growing controversy over a joke targeting former First Lady Melania Trump.

During Wednesday’s episode of No Spin News, O’Reilly weighed in on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) demanding an early review of Disney’s broadcast licenses for eight ABC stations. The move follows public calls from former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for Kimmel’s termination over a recent speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

In the speech, Kimmel referred to Melania Trump as an “expectant widow”, a remark that sparked widespread backlash.

O’Reilly’s Take: Disney Faces Financial and Legal Fallout

While O’Reilly acknowledged that the controversy “isn’t going to go anywhere”, he predicted that Disney would bear significant financial consequences. “This is just socking it to — an old ’60s expression — the Disney company,” he said. “The courts will protect Disney. Now, I did some investigating, as I told you guys I would, of why Disney has not cut Kimmel loose … [because] if a conservative commentator or pundit or comedian or anybody is doing what Kimmel is doing, they’re gone. Everybody knows it. They couldn’t survive.”

O’Reilly further alleged that Hollywood agencies have pressured Disney to retain Kimmel, threatening a boycott of their talent if the host is disciplined. “That’s the threat,” he said. “That’s what keeps Kimmel in his job.”

FCC Scrutiny and Industry Backlash

O’Reilly also criticized a statement from the National Religious Broadcasters, which filed a complaint with the FCC against Disney. The group argued that influential voices joking about death or treating political opponents as disposable contribute to a culture where violence feels justifiable. “With that comes responsibility. That’s why this action is warranted,” the statement read.

“So, summing up, Disney’s going to feel it. Doesn’t look to me like they’re going to cave. But, I’ll tell you what, [it’s] going to cost them maybe a billion dollars to defend. And, you know, President Trump’s not going to back away from this. And Kimmel will just go on doing what Kimmel does — selling hatred.”

O’Reilly’s remarks came one day after the FCC requested that Disney’s eight local ABC stations apply for an early renewal of their broadcast licenses—a rare enforcement action that escalates government scrutiny of the company.

Disney Responds to FCC and Public Pressure

A Disney spokesperson told TheWrap that the company remains confident in its compliance with FCC regulations and its commitment to serving local communities. “ABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming,” the statement read.

“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 added. “Our focus remains, as always, on serving viewers in the local communities where our stations operate.”

Representatives for Disney did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on O’Reilly’s remarks.