Jimmy Kimmel turned Disney’s 2026 upfront presentation into a full-on roast session. The late-night host joked that ABC’s decision to hire him more than two decades ago may have been the worst move the company ever made financially. Mixing politics, network drama, and self-deprecating humor, Kimmel delivered one of his sharpest speeches yet in front of Disney executives and advertisers.
Jimmy Kimmel jokingly calls Disney’s hiring of him the “worst personnel decision”
Speaking at Disney’s annual upfront event in New York, Kimmel joked that he had caused the company “billions” in damage this year. The comedian said, “Hiring me 24 years ago, just from a purely mathematical standpoint, was the worst personnel decision that Disney Corporation has ever made.” He even compared himself to the captain of the Exxon Valdez while roasting his own history at ABC (via Deadline).
Kimmel’s comments also touched on his ongoing clashes tied to politics and media attention. Over the past year, he faced backlash after remarks connected to conservative activist Charlie Kirk and later drew criticism from First Lady Melania Trump.
Referring to the controversies, Kimmel joked, “The President has tried to get me twice over the last six months.” He then flipped the situation into a ratings joke, claiming the attention helped boost engagement for ABC platforms.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host also took shots at rival networks and the state of late-night television. While mentioning Stephen Colbert and CBS canceling The Late Show, Kimmel joked the network was becoming “least likely to offend the President.” He also mocked upcoming TV projects, ABC programming, and even the Super Bowl halftime plans during the presentation.
Kimmel has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, making him one of the longest-running late-night hosts on network TV. Despite constant political controversy and criticism online, the show has stayed relevant through viral monologues, celebrity interviews, and digital clips. His aggressive comedy style has also made him one of the most talked-about late-night personalities during the Trump era.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.
