Disney Favorability Plummets Among Both Democrats and Republicans After Kimmel Fiasco, Study Finds

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For many years, Disney was a uniquely popular American company that people of all political views loved. Families, regardless of their political beliefs, happily visited its theme parks, watched its movies, and used its streaming service. However, it seems those days are now in the past.

Recent research from Jefferies, using data from Morning Consult polls, indicates a significant drop in how people view Disney – among both Democrats and Republicans. This represents one of the most dramatic declines in the company’s recent history. The reason? The temporary halt of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following inaccurate and provocative statements made by Kimmel after the murder of Charlie Kirk.

The Fallout from Kimmel’s Misinformation

The issue started on September 17, 2025, when Disney’s ABC network put Jimmy Kimmel Live! on hold. This happened because broadcasting companies Nexstar and Sinclair wouldn’t show the program. Kimmel had made comments that many news sources called “insensitive.” But actually, the comments contained false information regarding the attempted assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The comments quickly gained attention on social media, sparking anger from people across the political spectrum, but for different reasons. Conservatives criticized Kimmel, arguing he used his show to share misleading information while the country was mourning. Progressive activists, however, condemned Disney, believing the company had silenced him due to pressure from individuals connected to President Trump’s administration. They viewed this as corporate censorship.

In a single week, Disney managed to alienate both sides of the aisle—and it shows in the numbers.

Polling Paints a Grim Picture

A recent report from Jefferies indicates that Democratic support for Disney has reached a two-year low. Meanwhile, Republican sentiment toward the company is at its lowest point since March 2025.

As a movie and media reviewer, I’ve been following the recent fallout, and Jefferies analyst James Heaney believes this is more than just a blip – he calls it a significant PR hit. It’s not limited to just one late-night show, either. According to data from his firm, Disney’s reputation took a noticeable dive across the board. We’re talking about drops in how the public views not just ABC, but also their streaming services like Hulu and Disney+. What started as a controversy on traditional TV quickly spread to online discussions and impacted their entire brand.

According to reporting from TheWrap, data indicates that more than 1.7 million subscribers cancelled their subscriptions between September 17th and 23rd. This includes subscribers from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

Even so, this significantly slows down progress, especially since the company is planning a price increase on October 21st, and that could lead to even more customers canceling their services.

Both Sides Turn on the Mouse

This criticism has put Disney in a difficult spot. Democrats are angry that Disney paused Kimmel’s show, believing the company gave in to political pressure and hurt free speech. Meanwhile, Republicans view Disney’s slow reaction as evidence of leaning left-they think the company only took action after being publicly shamed.

Formerly known for staying out of political issues, Disney has unexpectedly become a brand that brings people from both sides of the political spectrum together-though not for the reasons it would have hoped.

What really worries me as a fan is that this negative feeling isn’t just a passing frustration. Jefferies reports that the approval ratings for Disney among both Democrats and Republicans are actually *decreasing*, which tells me a serious lack of trust has developed. It’s more than just a momentary dip – it feels like something deeper is going on, and that’s really concerning.

Stock and Shareholder Repercussions

Shares of Disney have dropped about 4% in the last month, happening at the same time as the issues with Jimmy Kimmel. Investors are becoming more worried that the company’s involvement in political debates-in places like Florida, Hollywood, and on late-night TV-is starting to harm its future worth.

Several news sources say that company shareholders are demanding more clarity about the choice to suspend Kimmel. They are wondering if disagreements within the company affected when the decision was made and how it was announced. They’re also questioning if internal politics played a role in the timing and the way the news was communicated.

A History of Political Trouble

This is far from the first time Disney has found itself on the wrong side of America’s culture war.

In 2022, the company’s public disagreement with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding the Parental Rights in Education Act caused a strong split along party lines. Republicans criticized Disney for getting too involved in political issues, while Democrats praised the company for taking a stand.

As of mid-2024, Disney was just starting to rebuild its image with conservatives, based on survey data, but any progress made seems to have vanished. The recent issue involving Jimmy Kimmel has essentially started the process all over again-and potentially left Disney in a worse position than before. Polling data suggests a significant setback.

The Brand That Lost the Middle

Disney stood out because it appealed to everyone. It offered a place where parents could bring their children to the parks without having to think about political issues. Families could enjoy shows like The Lion King or The Mandalorian and briefly forget about the problems in their everyday lives.

Currently, Disney is frequently involved in public controversies, and this recent situation could be the most harmful one so far. As Jefferies pointed out, while Disney’s “brand awareness” is still very strong-meaning many people recognize the name-that doesn’t necessarily translate to positive feelings or genuine fondness. Simply being well-known isn’t enough.

For now, it seems America still knows Disney. It just doesn’t like Disney.

Conclusion

Over the years, The Walt Disney Company has been described in many ways-as cherished, legendary, and seemingly invincible. However, by 2025, it’s also becoming something different: a source of division and strong opposing opinions. It’s now polarizing.

People across the political spectrum-both those on the left and the right-have become skeptical or even hostile towards the company, and the evidence is undeniable: Disney is no longer seen as a neutral, universally appealing force in American entertainment.

If Disney is unable to regain people’s confidence, even spectacular displays like fireworks over Cinderella Castle won’t resolve the existing disappointment and anger. It’s a matter of rebuilding faith, not just putting on a show.

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2025-10-05 14:58