Several celebrities in Hollywood have recently joined a growing movement to boycott Disney following ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s show off the air. Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in the Disney+ series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” made a call to action on her Instagram stories urging people to cancel their Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions. ABC, a subsidiary of Walt Disney, announced the indefinite suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after facing scrutiny from the nation’s top communications regulator regarding Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump.
The move to suspend Kimmel’s show comes amidst pressure from Trump to halt broadcasting content he deems objectionable, with FCC chair Brendan Carr facing criticism for pressuring Disney and local broadcasters to remove the show. The backlash and discussions on free speech and censorship have led to calls for boycotting Disney and Hulu streaming services. Notable personalities like writer and producer Damon Lindelof, Amy Landecker, and Frances Fisher have expressed support for boycotting the companies behind the decision.
Boycott movements have gained momentum on social media platforms like Reddit and X, where individuals are not only canceling their streaming subscriptions but also reconsidering Disney-related activities such as vacations and cruises. The controversy arose from Kimmel’s remarks during his monologue, where he discussed the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the subsequent investigations into the incident. Speculations regarding the motives behind the killing have sparked debates among politicians and the public, with conflicting attributions to different ideological groups.
As the situation unfolds, prosecutors have presented additional evidence against the accused killer, Tyler Robinson, shedding light on his shifting political views. Amidst the ongoing discussions, Carr highlighted concerns about Kimmel potentially misleading the public, prompting executives to engage in discussions with the host to determine the future of his show.