Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Faces First Amendment Test as Jimmy Kimmel Controversy Escalates

Less than eight months after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night host is once again at the center of a high-stakes controversy. The latest flap began when Melania Trump called on ABC to "take a stand" against Kimmel over a joke he made days before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was disrupted by a gunman.

Her criticism was swiftly followed by President Donald Trump, who demanded ABC fire Kimmel over the same remark. The escalating backlash now presents a critical test for Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, who took over from Bob Iger just over a month ago.

D’Amaro’s leadership is under scrutiny as Disney grapples with mass layoffs, industry consolidation, and mounting political pressure. Previous Disney executives have faced similar challenges: Bob Chapek struggled with Florida’s "Don’t Say Gay" bill, while Iger dealt with the fallout from Kimmel’s suspension earlier this year.

"It’s a big First Amendment stress test," said Brian Stelter, CNN media correspondent, on Monday.

"It depends on how [D’Amaro] ultimately wants to go. If they’re going to make a decision to pull something, it would be based off of a business decision, but I think it would ultimately look weak, and it would be a slippery slope if they do anything. They’re not going to fire him. If they suspend him, it’s going to only invite more criticism."

The controversy traces back to last Thursday, when Kimmel posted a 14-minute monologue as an alternative to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The segment parodied Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Kid Rock instead of Bad Bunny.

Kimmel’s monologue included sharp criticism of Trump, calling him a "drama queen" with "disgusting" hands. But the joke that sparked outrage targeted Melania Trump. "Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow," Kimmel said.

Two days later, the real White House Correspondents’ Dinner was disrupted by an attack in which Cole Tomas Allen was tackled with a long gun and three knives. While a Secret Service agent was injured, no one else was seriously hurt. Despite the unrelated nature of the incident, Melania Trump linked Kimmel’s joke to the violence.

"Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America," she wrote on X on Monday.