Disney's 'Thin-Skinned' Boss Bob Iger Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel Amid Social Firestorm

BOB IGER'S MELTDOWN: Disney Boss Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel After Backlash from Hollywood's Elite

In a shocking turn of events, Bob Iger, the 74-year-old CEO of The Walt Disney Company, has reinstated embattled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel just days after his suspension sparked widespread outrage in Hollywood. Sources close to the matter reveal that Iger was left "crushing" by the global criticism and "stung" by public rebukes from high-profile figures, including former Disney boss Michael Eisner.

The drama began last week when Kimmel made headlines for a joke about the assassination of 26-year-old Blaze Kirk, who was gunned down in a tragic incident linked to a dispute over politics. Kimmel's subsequent monologue on his ABC show sparked heated debate, with some accusing him of making light of the tragedy and others defending his right to free speech.

However, it seems that Iger's concerns went beyond just the controversy itself. Insiders claim that the Disney boss was particularly worried about how the situation would affect his personal life. A women in media fundraiser, scheduled to take place at their luxurious Los Angeles home, was threatened with a last-minute cancellation when Kimmel's suspension became public knowledge.

"Iger is known for being thin-skinned," an insider spilled to Puck, "and this whole ordeal has left him feeling humiliated and vulnerable." The executive reportedly took the backlash from Hollywood's elite as a personal attack on his leadership skills. But what really got under his skin was the criticism from none other than Michael Eisner, who blasted Kimmel's suspension as an affront to free speech.

Eisner, 83, lashed out at Iger in a scathing statement on X, saying: "Where has all the leadership gone?" He accused Disney of caving under pressure from conservative critics and warned that such tactics would only embolden those who seek to silence comedians. Eisner's remarks were seen as a direct hit at Iger's character and sparked a heated debate about free speech and the role of corporate leaders in defending it.

Insiders reveal that Eisner, who "humiliated" Iger during the succession process 20 years ago, has long been a thorn in his side. The two men have had a complicated history, with Iger reportedly harboring deep-seated resentment towards his predecessor. But what's truly remarkable is that Eisner would have handled the situation differently – by issuing a warning to affiliate owners Sinclair and Nexstar, who refused to air Kimmel's show despite its return.

Kimmel's tearful 20-minute monologue on Tuesday night was seen as an attempt to quell the backlash and placate his critics. He apologized for not making it clear enough that he didn't intend to make light of Kirk's assassination, but stopped short of issuing a full-fledged apology. Instead, he lashed out at Donald Trump, accusing him of using censorship as a tool to silence comedians who speak truth to power.

In a remarkable display of defiance, Kimmel declared: "A government threat to silence a comedian the government doesn't like is anti-American." His audience gave him a standing ovation, but it seems that Iger was not among them. Sources close to the matter reveal that the Disney boss was left feeling embarrassed and isolated by the ordeal.

But here's the kicker: Kimmel's return has put his employer at risk of facing serious backlash from conservative critics. The president of the United States has made it clear he wants to see Kimmel fired, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to go after late-night comics who push the envelope.

Kimmel's biting remark about Carr's conduct being "not legal" and "un-American" sparked a heated debate about free speech and censorship. He also took aim at conservative critics who accused him of making light of Kirk's assassination, saying: "I have no illusions about changing anyone's mind, but I do want to make something clear – it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man."

The fallout from Kimmel's suspension has been intense, with even his former co-host Andrew Kolvet weighing in on X. He accused Kimmel of lying and called for him to issue a full apology to the Kirk family.

As The Scholarly Note exclusively reports, this latest controversy is just another chapter in Bob Iger's long and complicated history at Disney. We've reached out to the company for comment but so far, they remain tight-lipped about the entire ordeal.

In the end, it seems that Kimmel's return has only emboldened his critics – but it remains to be seen whether this latest controversy will ultimately damage Iger's reputation as a corporate leader. One thing is certain: the drama is far from over in the world of late-night television and corporate politics.