In a move that surprised even seasoned media observers, Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel has publicly endorsed Disney executive Dana Walden to be the company’s next CEO — just weeks after she reportedly played a key role in his controversial suspension.
While speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime conference, Kimmel was asked who he’d like to see take the top job at Disney when Bob Iger steps down.
“It would be very foolish for me to answer that question but I happen to love Dana Walden very much, and I think she’s done a great job,” Kimmel said.
Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
The endorsement comes as Disney’s board weighs who will replace Iger when his contract expires in late 2026 — a decision that could shape the company’s direction for the next decade.
“I don’t think the result would have been as positive if I hadn’t talked to Dana as much as I did,” Kimmel said, referencing the intense behind-the-scenes discussions that led to his late-night show returning to air after he spread misinformation on public airwaves about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk.
The comments may sound flattering, but industry analysts suggest Walden’s path to the top is far from clear.
The Reality: Josh D’Amaro Is Still the Frontrunner
While Kimmel’s endorsement made headlines, most insiders continue to see Josh D’Amaro, the head of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, as the leading candidate to succeed Iger.
D’Amaro oversees the most profitable division in the entire company — from Walt Disney World to Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line. His focus on operational results and guest satisfaction has earned him both boardroom credibility and front-line respect.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro via Disney Parks YouTube
Financially, his division has carried Disney through turbulent years of streaming losses and box office underperformance. While Walden’s entertainment division continues to wrestle with streaming losses, it’s D’Amaro’s parks and experiences that have kept Disney’s balance sheets in the black — effectively making up for the shortfalls elsewhere.
That success alone has given him an edge few can match.
By contrast, Walden’s strength lies in her creative oversight — she currently co-chairs Disney Entertainment and controls programming for ABC, Hulu, and Disney+. Yet that same portfolio has seen heavy criticism for inconsistent results and content controversies.
Political Optics: The Kamala Harris Connection
Beyond performance metrics, there’s a more delicate factor at play in the quest to see Dana Walden as Disney CEO: politics.
Kamala Harris. Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
Walden’s long-standing friendship with former Vice President Kamala Harris has become a talking point in Hollywood circles — and a potential red flag in the current political climate. The two women have known each other since their days in California, and Walden has reportedly hosted Harris at private events over the years.
Many observers believe that a close personal tie to a high-profile Democratic figure could complicate Disney’s dealings with Washington under the current Trump administration.
Corporate Politics Meet Real Politics
Bob Iger’s eventual departure has already created quiet tension inside Disney’s upper ranks. Dana Walden and Josh D’Amaro reportedly lead a short list for Disney CEO that also includes ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
HULU ON DISNEY+ CELEBRATION – Some of the biggest stars across The Walt Disney Company celebrate the official launch of Hulu on Disney+ at an exclusive cocktail reception hosted by Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with special guest Bob Iger, on Friday evening in Los Angeles. (Disney/Greg Williams)
DANA WALDEN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY), ROBERT A. IGER (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY), ALAN BERGMAN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
But the optics surrounding each candidate matter. Walden’s deep roots in Hollywood, close relationship with progressive political circles, and central role in the Jimmy Kimmel controversy all pose potential perception problems. D’Amaro, on the other hand, is viewed as more neutral — a “parks first” executive who appeals to both employees and investors without carrying political baggage.
It’s a dynamic that could make all the difference when the board sits down to make its decision in 2026.
The Bottom Line
Jimmy Kimmel’s endorsement of Dana Walden or Disney CEO may have generated buzz, but it’s unlikely to move the needle inside Disney’s executive suite. The company’s board has far more pressing considerations than celebrity approval — including profitability, stability, and public perception in an era of intense political division.
Dana Walden via Variety YouTube
Walden’s creative pedigree is undeniable, but her proximity to former Vice President Harris could make her a politically risky pick at a time when Disney is eager to repair strained relations with conservative audiences and the Trump administration.
For now, it appears that Josh D’Amaro — the man who keeps the parks running and the cash flowing — remains the frontrunner for the Magic Kingdom’s most powerful throne.
Do you think Dana Walden will be the Disney CEO? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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Yimmy’s doing this solely to try and save his skin and his show. He even asked Trump to go on in the hopes of saving his cratering ratings. One episode with stellar viewership is not going to convince ABC not to dump him once his contract runs out, but it will absolutely zero his ratings as his far-Leftist fans turn on him. Especially after Orange Man eats him alive like everyone with an ounce of masculinity does when they go on his show. Why else would he only have fellow soyjaks on for six years?