Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night TV taught Disney’s CEO and the rest of corporate America that playing yes-man to the Trump administration is bad for business
OTHER than Jimmy Kimmel himself, the only person who had as much to gain or lose on Tuesday (Sep 23) from the comedian’s return to late-night television was Bob Iger, the chief executive officer of Walt Disney.
It had ultimately been Iger’s call to sideline Kimmel – a decision that would have seemed unthinkable three years ago when he returned to Disney for a second run at the top job.
Since then, Iger has morphed from outspoken CEO to capitulating yes-man. It is a transformation that encapsulates the narrative arc of most of corporate America during that period. Rather than acting as a counterweight to the White House as they did during President Donald Trump’s first term, CEOs are lining up to kiss the ring and complain quietly in private.
