Story perspectives

Trump Demands Disney Fire Kimmel; FCC Targets ABC Licenses

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding Disney fire Jimmy Kimmel after the comedian’s “expectant widow” joke.
Jimmy Kimmel highlighted Trump’s own death-joke while rebuking the president’s call for his termination.
The White House cited communications director Steven Cheung, who called Kimmel’s remark a disgusting assassination joke.
The Federal Communications Commission ordered Disney’s ABC stations to file early license renewals by May 28, 2026 amid a probe of possible violations.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in FCC v. Pacifica (1978) upheld federal power to police broadcast indecency—later reinforced by the 2006 Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act’s $325,000 per-violation fines—the FCC has repeatedly tightened standards, from Reagan’s market shift in 1981 to the 2026 license-renewal order. Today, President Trump’s demand that Disney fire Jimmy Kimmel revives this long-standing clash between politics and broadcast regulation.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding Disney fire Jimmy Kimmel after the comedian’s “expectant widow” joke.
Jimmy Kimmel highlighted Trump’s own death-joke while rebuking the president’s call for his termination.
The White House cited communications director Steven Cheung, who called Kimmel’s remark a disgusting assassination joke.
The Federal Communications Commission ordered Disney’s ABC stations to file early license renewals by May 28, 2026 amid a probe of possible violations.

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