The entertainment world, along with Democratic politicians and dedicated fans, reacted with a mix of fury and dismay on Wednesday. Their frustration stemmed from ABC’s announcement that it was indefinitely removing ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ from its schedule, a decision many immediately condemned as outright censorship and a direct affront to free speech.
On the other side of the political spectrum, conservative commentators and activists largely celebrated ABC’s move. They argued that Mr. Kimmel’s remarks regarding the alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk were inflammatory and fully justified the network’s decision to take his late-night program off the air.
The controversy began after Mr. Kimmel’s monologue on Monday, where he accused what he termed the ‘MAGA gang’ of attempting to distance themselves from the individual charged with Charlie Kirk’s murder, suggesting they were exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
These polarized reactions to ABC’s decision vividly underscored the deep partisan chasm that has widened across America following Mr. Kirk’s tragic death.
The indefinite suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ by ABC follows closely on the heels of another major late-night shake-up: CBS announced just two months prior that it would be canceling ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.’
In Hollywood, California, a small group of fewer than ten protesters gathered outside Mr. Kimmel’s studio. Among them was Nicholas Scutti, a 33-year-old aspiring comedy writer, who felt a personal impact from ABC’s decision. He joined the demonstration, compelled to voice his strong disapproval of the show’s indefinite removal.
He emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating, “It is crucial to speak out now, because delaying action will only make it more difficult to do so in the future.”
Across Hollywood Boulevard, 22-year-old Connor Lattery from Burbank was waiting for a film premiere when he heard the news. He expressed genuine shock at ABC’s announcement regarding Kimmel’s show.
Reflecting on the specific clip that triggered the cancellation, he commented that it seemed like a little bit of an extreme decision.
Heidie Garcia, 21, who had traveled from Long Beach for the same film, was less taken aback. “We’ve reached a point where we can’t express anything without it being censored,” she remarked.
Social media platforms quickly became a battleground of opinions. Many conservatives saw ABC’s decision as a long-awaited consequence for a comedian they had frequently criticized. Conversely, opponents of the current administration viewed the suspension as a government-influenced attempt to suppress free expression, aligning with broader concerns about restrictions on speech.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, weighed in, distinguishing Kimmel’s situation from “cancel culture.” He argued that when someone makes comments widely perceived as offensive or ill-advised, and then faces repercussions, it’s simply a matter of “consequences for your actions,” not cancelation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, took to social media to call out what he described as a “coordinated” and “dangerous” assault on the First Amendment. He pointed to a Republican-led campaign exerting pressure on media outlets to dismiss commentators, cancel programs, and gain influence over various platforms.
Newsom explicitly stated that the Republican Party “does not believe in free speech,” asserting that “they are censoring you in real time.”
Tommy Vietor, a former national security spokesperson for President Obama and co-host of “Pod Save America,” labeled the suspension of Kimmel’s show “absurd.” While acknowledging that any factual errors should be corrected, Vietor maintained that “suspending or canceling the show is a wild overreaction.”
Hasan Piker, a prominent left-wing streamer who was slated to debate Mr. Kirk, criticized corporations on social media for “instantly folding” to the current administration’s demands, urging liberals to resist.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, implored citizens to mobilize against the removal of Kimmel’s show. He accused the former President of exploiting Charlie Kirk’s death as a tool to silence political adversaries.
In a passionate video shared online, Murphy warned that if people fail to speak up now about “the assault on free speech” and the “disgusting” exploitation of Kirk’s murder by the former President to disempower opponents, “there may be no democracy to save a year from now.”
This recent suspension of Kimmel’s program follows another significant late-night development: CBS had announced just two months prior that it was canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” which airs in the same competitive time slot. Colbert’s fans also expressed widespread disappointment and criticism over that decision.
CBS maintained at the time that Colbert’s cancellation was solely a “financial decision,” unrelated to his political leanings. Both Colbert and Kimmel are known for their critical commentary on right-wing politics, often using their opening monologues to critique the former President’s administration.
From Britain, where he was on a state visit, the former President lauded ABC’s action on social media. He hailed it as “Great News for America” and pressed NBC to follow suit with its own late-night programs.
He congratulated ABC for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” adding a sharp personal jab: “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.”
Further conservative voices quickly joined the online discussion.
Conservative commentator Mark R. Levin argued that Kimmel’s removal was long overdue, stating he “should have been canned a long time ago.”
Levin concluded, “Better late than never.”
Former Fox News anchor and current YouTube host Megyn Kelly pondered the immense viewer backlash Kimmel’s monologue must have generated.
She posted, “Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this.”
Earlier on Wednesday, prior to ABC’s official announcement, Donald Trump Jr. had already labeled Kimmel a “disgrace” on social media.