Backlash to Disney’s Kimmel Cancellation Fuels Warning to CEOs on Trump’s Clout

Overview

• ABC/Disney ended Jimmy Kimmel’s late‑night show after FCC Chair Brendan Carr reportedly threatened broadcast license revocations, with pressure also attributed to conservative affiliate owners.
• Search interest for “Cancel Disney+” hit an all‑time high following the decision, and Disney shares fell about 2% over the past week while the broader market rose roughly 1%.
• Data journalist G. Elliott Morris argues corporate leaders overestimate Trump’s reach, noting that 2024 turnout was about 64.1% and roughly 31.9% of all adults voted for him, far less than a consumer majority.
• Polling averages cited by Morris show intense opposition: approximately 46–50% of adults strongly disapprove of Trump’s performance versus about 24% who strongly approve.
• Morris points to similar business risks at other firms, citing Paramount’s bid to win FCC favor on its Skydance deal and Target’s DEI rollback preceding sales declines, a steep stock drop, and leadership departures reported by Forbes.