Hollywood and Lawmakers Decry Move as an Attack on Free Speech; John Oliver, Other Celebrities Voice Support for Comedian
A growing chorus of criticism is targeting ABC’s decision to take late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air, a move that came after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and the Trump administration reportedly pressured the network.
The backlash, spanning from fellow comedians to elected officials, centers on accusations that the government is trying to censor speech.
The controversy began last week after comments Kimmel made about the alleged shooter of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
While speaking at Kirk’s memorial Sunday, President Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension, stating, “The same commentators who this week are screaming fascism over a canceled late-night TV show where the anchor had no talent and no ratings… Last week, we’re implying that Charlie Kirk deserved what happened to him.”
The move has drawn rare bipartisan condemnation.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), in a break from President Trump, compared Carr’s comments to those of a mob boss, while Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) defended the right to free speech, but stated it doesn’t guarantee the right to employment.
Comedian John Oliver called it a “pretty clear case of the government pressuring companies to censor speech.” The sentiment has been echoed across Hollywood, with stars like Mark Ruffalo, Pedro Pascal, and Marisa Tomei publicly supporting Kimmel.
The fallout has been significant.
Authorities are investigating a potential connection between the controversy and a recent shooting at an ABC station in Sacramento, where a 64-year-old man was arrested on federal charges. His attorney says he will plead not guilty.
Meanwhile, Disney and ABC have not commented on Kimmel’s future. The public waits to see whether the network will stand by its decision or reinstate the long-time host.
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