First Stephen Colbert, now Jimmy Kimmel. ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its network “indefinitely” has sent shockwaves through the media industry, Hollywood and the political world. Many are criticizing the decision – which was applauded by Donald Trump – as an act of censorship.
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Popular US late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has had his show pulled over "offensive and insensitive" comments about Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the conservative political group Turning Point USA and staunch supporter of Donald Trump who was fatally shot last week.
During Monday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel called out the hypocrisy in the reactions of Republicans to Kirk’s death and accused Donald Trump and his allies of "doing their best to fan the flames."
The comedian told his audience that "many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk". He added the president's response to Kirk's death "is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish."
Kimmel also criticised flags being flown at half mast in honour of Kirk – whose views were not always conducive to the free speech he supposedly championed.
Disney-owned ABC said the show would be taken off-air indefinitely - and with immediate effect - after network operator Nexstar said it would stop broadcasting the programme.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely," a spokesperson for ABC said in a statement. As for Nexstar, it said the comedian's remarks about Kirk were "offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse".
"[We] do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located," said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar's broadcasting division.
As to be expected, especially following the upcoming cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, Trump welcomed the news of the abrupt removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live on Truth Social, writing "congratulations to ABC" and "Kimmel has ZERO talent".
However, Kimmel's suspension has triggered outrage from notable Hollywood and media figures, as well as Democrats, who all slam this move and point out that while Trump presents himself as an advocate of free speech, he frequently calls for the cancellation of media organisations and celebrities that criticise him. Only this week, he launched a lawsuit against The New York Times...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called out ABC’s move as an attack on free speech, writing on X: “Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called for people "across the political spectrum… to stop what's happening to Jimmy Kimmel", while US Senator from New Jersey Cory Booker posted: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Senator Adam Schiff added: "Kimmel. Colbert. Suits against the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and 60 Minutes. Extorting settlements from CBS, ABC, and others. Blocking the AP's access to the White House. This administration is responsible for the most blatant attacks on the free press in American history. What will be left of the First Amendment when he’s done?"
Of ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live!, MSNBC host Chris Hayes said: “This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close.”
Respected journalist and former CNN host Don Lemon called the decision “some scary shit” and added: “This is the same party that complains everything is too woke, that comedians can’t say anything anymore, that they’re killing comedy. But the folks who complain about killing comedy are the ones killing comedy. What does that tell you? They don’t believe in anything they’re saying. They have no core.”
Michael Kosta, one of The Daily Show’s rotating hosts, highlighted the First Amendment on his Instagram Story, adding: “This is a serious moment in American history. TV networks MUST push back. This is complete BS.”
Celebrities have joined Democrats and media personalities in speaking out.
Ben Stiller tweeted "This isn't right", while Wanda Sykes accused Trump of seeking to end freedom of speech. She posted a video on Instagram showing support to the late-night host and criticizing the Trump administration: “Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Steve Martin took to X and shared a passage from The Diary of Anne Frank where Anne Frank wrote: “Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.” Martin added the caption to his post: “And our right to free speech is being eliminated.”
Sophia Bush reposted the news of Kimmel being pulled off air, writing: “The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
As for comedian Mike Birbiglia, he shared a handwritten note reacting to Kimmel’s removal: “I’ve spent a lot of time in public and private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comeidian and you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air – don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
Actor and podcaster Paul Scheer wrote on Threads: “So let me get this straight. Kimmel is off the air for his comments about the politicization of an assassination but this is totally fine.” He linked to a video of Fox commentator Brian Kilmeade calling for homeless people to be killed.
Hacks star Jean Smart shared on Instagram: “I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”
Writer and comedian Alex Edelman wrote on X: “This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much”, and Christie Brinkley wrote, referring to late-night hosts: “I love these guys! The laughter they provide us is as important as the air we breath! And they are taking another one of them off the air tonight! WE MUST PROTECT their and OUR 1st Anendnent RIGHTS!!!!”
Indeed, Kimmel is the latest comedian and late night host to see his programme axed. In July, ABC rival network CBS announced it would end their hit show The Late Show With Stephen Colbert next year. Network executives said the move was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount." However, the decision was widely criticised, with many alluding to a $16m settlement with Trump after he sued the network over an interview its 60 Minutes programme did last year with former Vice-President Kamala Harris.
This came months after ABC agreed to pay $15m to Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit after anchor George Stephanopoulos said during an interview that Trump had been found "liable for rape". A jury in a civil case had determined Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" - which has a different and specific definition under New York law.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver called the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert “terrible” and “very, very, very sad”, saying he’d always loved both Stephen and the show. “It’s incredibly sad,” he said during an appearance in Erie, Pennsylvania. “Late-night shows mean a lot to me, not just because I work in them, but because even growing up in England, I would watch Letterman’s show, which of course was Stephen’s show, and think about what a glamorous world that was," he remembered, adding that he was "partly excited to see what they’re going to do for the next 10 months."
