Disney CEO Bob Iger approved the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week after facing backlash over the suspension of the late-night host, a decision insiders say was influenced by a sharp public rebuke from his predecessor, Michael Eisner, as reported by The New York Post.

Iger initially moved to bench Kimmel following widespread criticism of the host’s remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Of all the backlash that Disney CEO Bob Iger endured this week, one critic may have stung the most, per @kimmasters. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/8SdkqqeeiT

— Matthew Belloni (@MattBelloni) September 23, 2025

Kimmel claimed the suspect was part of the “MAGA gang,” a statement that sparked protests from Disney affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar, which refused to carry the program.

According to reporting from Puck News, Iger, who has been described as having a “thin skin,” was particularly affected by Eisner’s post on X that questioned his leadership.

Eisner, 83, wrote, “Where has all the leadership gone?” He added, “Maybe the Constitution should have said, ‘Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, except in one’s political or financial self-interest.’”

Where has all the leadership gone? If not for university presidents, law firm managing partners, and corporate chief executives standing up against bullies, who then will step up for the first amendment? The “suspending indefinitely” of Jimmy Kimmel immediately after the…

— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) September 19, 2025

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Industry veterans told Puck News that the criticism hit Iger hard due to their long and difficult history.

Iger reportedly “loathes” Eisner, who oversaw a contentious succession process two decades ago. Sources recalled that Eisner “tortured and humiliated” Iger during that time, making his recent rebuke especially damaging.

Observers said Eisner likely would have handled the Kimmel controversy differently, possibly by pushing back on affiliates rather than suspending the show. “Michael doesn’t give a f**k what anybody else thinks if he thinks he’s doing the right thing,” one former Disney insider said.

The fallout extended beyond corporate decisions. Unions representing creatives, entertainers, and A-list celebrities accused Iger of capitulating to pressure, which they argued undermined free speech.

Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, were also scheduled to host a fundraiser for women in media at their Los Angeles home, but according to reports, members of the host committee considered withdrawing in protest.

The suspension and reinstatement also underscored tensions inside Disney as Iger continues to manage political and industry pressures since returning to the CEO role in late 2022.

Eisner’s comments marked a rare public intervention on political issues. “I can’t think of a time when he weighed in on something that was political with a capital P,” said Dan Wolf, Disney’s former vice president of corporate communications.

Iger succeeded Eisner in 2005 after a shareholder revolt weakened Eisner’s position. He quickly worked to shift Disney away from his predecessor’s centralized style, notably repairing ties with Pixar.

Eisner, however, has remained a figure whose opinions still carry weight in the industry, as seen in the latest dispute.

The Post reached out to Iger, Bay, and Disney for comment. A representative for Eisner said he would not expand on his remarks beyond last week’s X post.

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