By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following controversial comments made by Jimmy Kimmel about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” triggering widespread backlash. Critics, including free speech advocates, condemned the move, citing it as a violation of free speech and a dangerous precedent for censoring commentary. The suspension prompted calls for boycotts of Disney and ABC on social media platforms, fueled by concerns of government censorship. The decision also came after FCC pressure and followed similar actions by ABC affiliate owners, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting.
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People are threatening to boycott Disney after ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel: ‘Let’s do to Disney what we did to Target’
The internet is buzzing, and it’s not just a gentle murmur; it’s a roar. The recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC has ignited a firestorm of backlash, with many people vowing to take action against the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC. The rallying cry? “Let’s do to Disney what we did to Target.” This is more than just disgruntled customers venting; it’s a potential full-scale economic protest, with people already taking concrete steps.
Across social media platforms, the anger is palpable. People aren’t just making empty threats; they’re canceling their subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu, dumping Disney stock, and vowing to avoid Disney theme parks. These aren’t just isolated incidents; the comments are piling up, each one adding fuel to the fire, creating a sense of collective action. The phrase “voting with your wallet” is a common theme, reflecting a belief that consumers have the power to influence corporate behavior by withholding their financial support.
The immediate impact of the suspension, and the resulting boycott, is already being felt. People are reporting difficulties with cancellation processes and expressing their determination to follow through despite any hurdles. The cancellations are coming quickly, signaling a swift and decisive response to the perceived injustice. Some individuals are going even further, expressing their displeasure with the company and sharing links to ABC’s feedback pages, urging others to voice their opinions directly.
The anger goes beyond the immediate issue of the Kimmel suspension. It taps into deeper frustrations about censorship, perceived political bias, and the direction of the company. The focus is not just on canceling subscriptions, but also on targeting Disney’s future revenue streams. The boycott extends to every facet of the Disney empire, encompassing everything from Disney+ and theme parks to Marvel films and ESPN. The ambition is to make a significant impact, even targeting high-profile projects with potentially enormous financial returns.
The motivation behind the boycott is multi-faceted. Some are driven by a desire to defend freedom of speech and what they view as censorship. Others are motivated by political allegiances, opposing what they see as the company pandering to specific political agendas. Still others are simply fed up with what they consider a decline in quality and relevance of Disney’s content, especially in recent years. Many commenters are focusing on the fact that Trump will soon be gone but consumers will remain, and they are aiming to leverage this to inflict lasting damage on Disney’s bottom line.
The comparison to the Target boycott highlights the strategy’s potency. The success of similar boycotts, like the one against Target, has energized participants and given them a sense of empowerment. The shared belief is that concerted consumer action can force corporations to change their behavior. It’s a powerful message of the people pushing back against perceived abuses of power.
There’s also a secondary theme emerging: the call to action. Rather than simply complaining or threatening, the emphasis is on taking immediate, demonstrable action. The message is clear: cancel your subscriptions, sell your stock, and boycott Disney products and services. The calls for action are not limited to subscription cancellations. Many are encouraging others to review-bomb new Disney projects and promote the hashtag #DisneyBoycott.
The call to defend democracy is a prominent subtext. This is framed as a battle for the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The belief is that if corporate entities are allowed to silence dissenting voices or manipulate political narratives, the very foundations of democracy are at risk. It’s a bold statement.
The issue isn’t just about individual shows or movies; it’s about the future of free speech and the preservation of democratic principles. The underlying sentiment is that Disney, as a major media conglomerate, is using its influence to silence opposing views, which presents a clear threat to the American experiment. It’s an interesting and very critical point in the whole conversation.
The situation is evolving. With the sheer number of individuals participating, the economic consequences could be substantial. The collective action could be a serious blow to Disney, forcing the company to re-evaluate its strategies and policies. The next few weeks will be telling.