Former President Barack Obama has weighed in on the controversial suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, calling it an example of how political pressure is dangerously reshaping the boundaries of free speech in media.Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, ABC“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” Obama posted Thursday on X (formerly Twitter).After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 18, 2025The statement marked a rare direct rebuke from the former president, who has largely refrained from weighing in on individual media controversies. But the sudden and highly politicized removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the ABC lineup appears to have struck a nerve.A Brewing StormWhile Kimmel’s show was officially preempted indefinitely by Disney executives Wednesday, sources say the storm had been brewing throughout the week.It began with Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, in which he addressed the suspected political motives behind the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In his remarks, Kimmel criticized the exploitation of the tragedy, saying, “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” while referring to Trump loyalists as the “MAGA gang.”Predictably, his comments sparked outrage from the right, igniting backlash on social media and fueling heated commentary in conservative media circles. That reaction alone didn’t trigger Kimmel’s suspension—but it put ABC and Disney on high alert.Then, on Tuesday night, Kimmel doubled down. Rather than walk anything back, he leaned further into his critique, continuing to frame the right-wing response to Kirk’s death as “shameless political theater.”FCC Threat Raises the StakesCredit: ABC Promotional ImageThe real escalation came on Wednesday afternoon, when Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), appeared on a conservative podcast and issued a thinly veiled warning. Carr threatened the broadcast licenses of ABC affiliates—an unprecedented move that sent shockwaves through Disney’s executive ranks.Shortly after Carr’s remarks, Nexstar, the media conglomerate that airs Jimmy Kimmel Live! in around two dozen local markets, announced it would no longer air the show.One source told CNN, “Carr publicly stating that Disney was at risk to lose its local broadcast licenses was a ‘real, serious threat’ for all of ABC.”A veteran television news producer, unaffiliated with ABC, put it in stark terms:“There is no more terrifying circumstance for a broadcast entity than the threat of an FCC fine, or worse, that the agency could move to revoke the stations’ broadcast licenses.”Behind the scenes, Kimmel was reportedly ready to deliver a fiery monologue on Wednesday night, taking direct aim at those politicizing the backlash. According to one source close to the show, Kimmel’s monologue was “very hot” and directly targeted the MAGA base.But before he could go on air, Disney executives intervened.Disney’s Calculated MoveDisney Entertainment Co-chair Dana Walden and CEO Bob Iger held discussions late Wednesday about the risks involved in airing that night’s episode. According to sources familiar with those conversations, the executives encouraged Kimmel to “take down the temperature.”At the same time, Nexstar’s decision not to air the show had effectively made it impossible to broadcast widely, and internal concerns were mounting—not only about political pressure, but employee safety.Multiple Disney and ABC staffers began receiving death threats after Carr’s comments circulated widely online. Their email addresses and phone numbers were doxxed, raising the stakes far beyond ratings or reputation.“This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel Live,” a source told CNN. “It’s about all of ABC and all of the shows and all employees.”That’s when the decision was made: Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pulled from the schedule indefinitely. Not canceled—but put on ice.Obama’s Rare RebukeCredit: DisneyPresident Obama’s statement Thursday reframed the entire controversy in broader terms—accusing the current administration of weaponizing regulatory threats to silence voices it opposes.“The current administration has taken [cancel culture] to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies,” Obama wrote.Although he didn’t mention Kimmel by name, the timing and content of the post leave little doubt about what—and who—he was referring to.The Bigger PictureKimmel has not yet spoken publicly about his suspension. His team has declined media requests, and Disney has not provided additional comments about the show’s future.But inside the company, sources say the mood is tense, yet cautiously optimistic. Executives are reportedly “hopeful” that a path exists to bring Kimmel back once tempers cool. Walden and Kimmel, according to insiders, maintain a “strong and respectful” relationship.“Everyone deeply values him and wants him to come back,” said one source. “But he has to take down the temperature.”Kimmel, a central figure at ABC since 2023, recently extended his contract through May 2026. He’s hosted the Oscars, Emmy-winning specials, and other high-profile projects under the Disney umbrella.Yet this latest controversy raises the question: How free is too free in the age of politically charged entertainment?Protestors Speak OutOn Thursday evening, demonstrators gathered outside The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, holding signs supporting Kimmel and condemning what they viewed as censorship driven by partisan pressure. The crowd included fans, media workers, and free speech advocates, calling for the show’s reinstatement.What Comes Next?Whether or not Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns in its previous form remains an open question. As former President Obama’s statement suggests, the implications of this controversy reach well beyond one monologue, one network, or even one comedian.They strike at the heart of a volatile political-media landscape, where regulatory threats, online mobs, and corporate liability all intersect—and where the definition of “cancel culture” is more politically fluid than ever.As one source put it bluntly:“This wasn’t about censoring Jimmy. It was about protecting the entire network from a political sledgehammer.”The post Barak Obama Publicly Speaks Out Against Disney: “New and Dangerous Level” appeared first on Inside the Magic.