Angelina Jolie Voices Alarm Over US Freedom of Speech, Citing Kimmel suspension as Turning Point
LOS ANGELES – Actress Angelina Jolie has expressed deep concern over the state of free speech in the United States, stating she “doesn’t recognize my country” anymore, following the suspension of late-night host jimmy Kimmel by Disney-owned ABC. Jolie’s statement joins a growing chorus of prominent figures voicing outrage over the network’s decision, which stemmed from Kimmel’s on-air commentary regarding political figures.
the suspension of Kimmel, and the subsequent backlash, has ignited a debate about corporate influence on political discourse and the potential chilling effect on dissenting voices. The situation underscores a broader anxiety among creatives and public figures regarding increasing pressures on freedom of expression, notably in the context of heightened political polarization and media scrutiny. Several individuals within the entertainment industry have publicly demonstrated their support for Kimmel and condemned Disney’s actions, signaling a potential shift in how Hollywood navigates politically sensitive issues.
Damon Lindelof, the showrunner and creator of Lost, pledged he would not work with Disney+ again unless Kimmel was reinstated.”I was shocked, saddened and infuriated by yesterday’s suspension and look forward to it being lifted soon. If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” Lindelof wrote on Instagram.
Olivia Rodrigo,who gained prominence through Disney’s Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The series,expressed her dismay,calling the suspension “blatant censorship and abuse of power” and declaring her solidarity with Kimmel.
Dan Gilroy, an Emmy-winning writer for the Disney+ series Andor, drew parallels between the show’s depiction of authoritarianism and current political trends in the US. In a column for Deadline, Gilroy wrote that Donald Trump’s “tools of governance, coercion and intimidation, have found focus on Hollywood,” and that Disney suspended Kimmel due to “fear, and an FCC head threatening ‘they can do this the easy way or hard way.'”
Hundreds protested outside Disney headquarters in Burbank on September 18, 2025, decrying the suspension as “un-American.”
