kimmel Suspension Draws Fire from Democrats, Hollywood Unions
The suspension of “Jimmy kimmel Live!” by ABC following comments deemed critical of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and former President Donald Trump has sparked widespread condemnation from Democratic figures and Hollywood labor unions, who decry the move as a risky precedent for free speech and a capitulation to political pressure.
The controversy stems from Kimmel‘s September 10th remarks regarding Kirk’s recent murder.Kimmel suggested that supporters of Trump, often referred to as the “MAGA gang,” were exploiting the tragedy for political gain and likened Trump’s public mourning to a child’s grief over a pet. These comments drew immediate backlash from conservatives.
Following pressure from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Carr, who urged local broadcasters to drop the show, nexstar Media Group – owner of 32 ABC affiliates – announced it would cease airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. ABC subsequently suspended the show. Carr had alluded to potential investigations and fines for broadcasters continuing to air the program, praising Nexstar for aligning with “community values.”
The Writers Guild of America West and East issued a joint statement, asserting that the decision to suspend Kimmel’s show represented a betrayal of the “founding truth” of free disagreement. They sharply criticized goverment officials for forgetting this principle and reminded employers that their creative work generates ample revenue, arguing that silencing them “impoverishes the whole world.”
SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, released a statement calling the suspension “the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.” Actor Ben Stiller echoed this sentiment on social media, stating simply, “This isn’t right.” The American Federation of Musicians characterized the situation as “state censorship,” alleging that Trump’s FCC targeted speech it disliked and threatened ABC with repercussions.
The situation highlights a pattern of Trump’s past threats to pull licenses from television stations and pressure broadcasters to censor content he finds objectionable, including a recently filed $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.
Despite the controversy, Disney’s stock experienced only a minor dip following the news, suggesting limited investor concern about long-term financial impact. A 22-year-old suspect has been charged in Kirk’s murder, with the motive still under inquiry. The incident has also led to targeted harassment of individuals critical of Kirk’s views or who made jokes about his death.
