A wave of fury erupted among fans, celebrities, and Democratic politicians this Wednesday after ABC declared an indefinite hiatus for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Critics swiftly condemned the network’s decision, branding it as an act of censorship and a direct assault on fundamental free speech principles.
Conversely, conservative activists and media figures applauded ABC’s move. They argued that Kimmel’s recent comments regarding the alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk were egregious enough to justify pulling his popular late-night program.
The controversy stems from Kimmel’s Monday monologue, where he accused the “MAGA gang” of attempting to distance themselves from the individual who murdered Charlie Kirk, suggesting they were exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
These polarized reactions to ABC’s actions vividly highlight the deep partisan chasm that has widened in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death.
Outside Kimmel’s Hollywood Boulevard studio on Wednesday evening, a small group of fewer than ten protesters voiced their disapproval. Among them was Nicholas Scutti, a 33-year-old aspiring comedy writer from Hollywood, who felt personally impacted by ABC’s indefinite suspension of the show and compelled to join the public outcry.
“It’s crucial to speak out now,” Scutti emphasized, “because if we remain silent, it will only become more difficult to do so in the future.”
Across the street, Connor Lattery, 22, from Burbank, was waiting for a premiere screening of the new football horror film, “HIM.” He expressed his genuine shock at ABC’s unexpected announcement.
“When I saw the specific clip that led to his cancellation, it honestly struck me as an overly harsh decision,” Lattery noted.
Heidie Garcia, 21, who had traveled from near Long Beach for the same film premiere, wasn’t as surprised. “It feels like we can’t say anything without it being censored now,” she remarked.
The digital sphere buzzed with activity. Many conservatives viewed ABC’s action as a long-awaited consequence for a comedian they had consistently lambasted. Meanwhile, critics of the Trump administration quickly linked the network’s decision—which they claimed was influenced by the government—to broader attempts they perceive as stifling free expression.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, dismissed the idea that Kimmel’s removal was a case of “cancel culture.” He asserted that when someone utters remarks that many find offensive, rude, or foolish, and subsequently faces repercussions, it’s not cancellation, but rather accountability for their words.
California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, took to X on Wednesday to declare that the Republican Party’s sustained pressure on media companies to dismiss commentators, ax shows, and seize control of media platforms represented a “coordinated” and “dangerous” assault on the First Amendment.
“The GOP doesn’t truly believe in free speech,” Newsom wrote. “They are actively censoring you.”
Tommy Vietor, who served as a national security spokesman under President Barack Obama and co-hosts the liberal political podcast “Pod Save America,” labeled Kimmel’s show suspension “absurd.” He suggested that while factual errors should be corrected, outright suspending or canceling the program was an extreme reaction.
Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who was slated to debate Charlie Kirk this month, claimed on X that corporations were “instantly folding” to the Trump administration’s influence and urged liberals to resist.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, implored citizens to rally against the removal of Kimmel’s show. He further accused former President Trump of exploiting Charlie Kirk’s death as a means to permanently silence political opposition.
In a social media video, Murphy warned, “If we don’t speak up now against this attack on free speech, against Donald Trump’s disgusting exploitation of Charlie Kirk’s murder to silence his political adversaries, there might not be a democracy left to save a year from now.”
Kimmel’s show hiatus follows by roughly two months CBS’s announcement to cancel “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” a program airing in the same late-night slot. Colbert’s cancellation also sparked considerable backlash from his dedicated viewership.
CBS had previously stated that Colbert’s show was canceled due to “purely financial” reasons, insisting it was unrelated to his political leanings, which, like Kimmel’s, are firmly anti-Trump. Both comedians regularly incorporate jokes about right-wing politics and frequently critique the Trump administration in their opening monologues.
Former President Trump, currently on a state visit in Britain, publicly praised ABC’s decision via a social media post, hailing it as “Great News for America.” He further encouraged NBC to follow suit with its own late-night programs.
“Congratulations to ABC for finally demonstrating the courage to do what was necessary,” Trump remarked, adding, “Kimmel possesses ZERO talent and boasts ratings even worse than Colbert’s, if such a thing is even possible.”
Meanwhile, other conservative voices also weighed in on social media, echoing similar sentiments.
Conservative commentator Mark R. Levin asserted that Kimmel should have been “canned a long time ago.”
“Better late than never,” Levin commented.
Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News anchor now a YouTube host, offered her thoughts on the audience reaction to Kimmel’s controversial monologue.
“Just consider the sheer volume of enraged mail and viewer feedback they must have received to prompt this action,” Kelly posted on X.
Minutes before ABC’s announcement on Wednesday, Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, branded Kimmel a “disgrace” in a post on X.
Yan Zhuang contributed reporting.