Notable figures responded to ABC's decision to cancel Jimmy Kimmel's program

Hollywood elites and political figures exhibit a divided response after the halt of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night program.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 22 . 5:56 PM

2 min read

Leading figures responded to ABC's decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel's television program

Notable figures responded to ABC's decision to cancel Jimmy Kimmel's program

In a recent turn of events, ABC News has pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from its schedule following controversial remarks made by the host about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel, in his late-night show, suggested that the alleged assassin may have been a supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This statement sparked a series of reactions, with some praising ABC News' decision, while others criticized it as a form of suppression and retaliation. Notably, Trump himself praised the decision, stating that Kimmel has zero talent and worse ratings than Stephen Colbert. However, the Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East, along with SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and media professionals, expressed concern, stating that the move endangers freedom of speech. The FCC chairman appointed by Trump, Brendan Carr, criticized Kimmel's comments as intentionally spreading misinformation about the assassin's political affiliation. On the other hand, Anna Gomez, an FCC Democratic commissioner, accused the Trump administration of using government power to suppress lawful expression. The suspension of Kimmel's show has also prompted reactions from other quarters. Wanda Sykes, a regular guest on the show, criticized the move, expressing concern about freedom of speech. Comedian Ben Stiller also expressed disapproval of the decision. Meanwhile, other TV station groups have followed suit. Nexstar, which operates 23 ABC News affiliates, and another TV station group, Sinclair, have paused the show, stating that Kimmel's remarks were offensive and insensitive. Sinclair even urged Kimmel to apologize to the Kirk family and donate to Kirk's organization. Kimmel himself has been vocal about the situation, stating that the MAGA gang is desperately trying to portray the young man who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of their own, and is doing everything to gain political capital from it. He also criticized former President Trump's reaction to the attack as insincere. The controversy surrounding Kimmel's remarks and the subsequent suspension of his show continues to unfold, with many voicing their opinions and concerns about freedom of speech and censorship in the media. In a separate incident, Karen Attiah, a former columnist for The Washington Post, was fired last week over her social media posts about racial double standards and gun violence. This has sparked debates about the boundaries of free speech and the role of media in shaping public discourse. As the events unfold, it is clear that the lines between free speech and censorship, and the role of media in shaping public opinion, continue to be a hot topic of discussion.