The Daily Beast Podcast Real Reason ABC Bowed to Trump on Kimmel: Wolff
Sep 19, 2025
In this engaging conversation, journalist Michael Wolff, renowned for his insights into Donald Trump's world, delves into Trump's latest attack on the media, focusing on the fallout from his feud with Jimmy Kimmel and Disney's surprising response. Wolff shares a surreal experience of sharing ice cream with Trump while unpacking the political implications of declining approval ratings and the ongoing Epstein scandal. The discussion also highlights the evolving dynamics within MAGA and the tension between free speech and Trump’s controversial tactics.
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Short-Term Safety, Long-Term Cost
- Wolff predicts Iger's capitulation is an unforced error that could cost him his job and alienate creative talent.
- He sees corporate reflexes to avoid controversy as short-sighted and damaging long-term.
Big CEOs Bow For Business
- Wolff finds it striking that top tech and business leaders publicly flatter Trump despite privately viewing him as a clown.
- He interprets their attendance at state events as pragmatic ritual bows to secure favors and deals.
Settlements As A Political Tool
- Wolff details a pattern of media companies settling frivolous Trump lawsuits to avoid jeopardizing mergers.
- He warns this creates a media landscape that bends to Trump through commercial leverage, not legal merit.