Indefinite suspension Jimmy Kimmel Live! got canceled. This decision follows host Jimmy Kimmel’s inflammatory remarks about the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension has unaffiliated folks understandably and justifiably brought the ire of political figures, media organizations, and free speech advocates. Its impact on democratic discourse in the United States is alarming, and many are crying foul.
The suspension was not surprisingly met with sharp rebuke from all directions. Former President Donald Trump cheered the move on social media. He described it as “great news for America” and commended ABC for its “courage.” Kimmel responded that he was “stunned” that Trump was still awake by the time he posted. This critical statement underscores the nuanced, ever-evolving struggle between the satirical artist and the political tyrant.
That call to suspend Kimmel’s show has drawn the anger of many entertainment-industry folks. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Sag-Aftra, which represents almost 170,000 creative professionals, have protested in favor of Kimmel. They issued a statement denouncing the suspension as a dangerous attack on free speech. Above all else, they reminded us that diverse perspectives are essential to a thriving democracy.
In a statement, the WGA West asserted, “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people. It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice.”
Brendan Carr, the Republican Chairman of the U.S. media regulator, FCC, raised the stakes. He threatened individual broadcasters’ licenses if they didn’t do something to punish Kimmel. That change has shocked others, who worry that it signals a new wave of government overreach into our media ecosystem.
Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts expressed her alarm over the state. She was not alone in her phrasing, as similar sentiments were expressed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzer and Hawaiian Senator Brian Schatz. Warren’s call-out of the media companies for providing the infrastructure for Trump’s authoritarianism was pretty visceral too. Pritzker labeled the suspension as “an attack on free speech,” while Schatz described it as an example of the government using regulatory authority to suppress dissenting voices.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized ABC for caving to government pressure. Then they pretend that ABC “caved” in response to a sustained, concentrated firestorm of criticism.
Kimmel’s show was and apparently still is, readying to respond to the backlash on the air during its planned Wednesday night episode. The cancellation suspension has understandably panicked fans and fans of Kimmel. Increasingly, they’re focusing on what some are claiming to be a concerted effort to silence critics of Trump. As comedian Mike Birbiglia reminded his comedians to do, comedians should condemn these moves if they actually care about free speech. At the same time, Michael Kosta announced, “This is a sad time in American history. TV networks MUST push back. This is complete BS.”
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has ignited public outcry across the country about ‘Freedom of Speech’ in America. Public library advocates are raising concerns that actions like this will create a chilling effect and establish a troubling precedent for media censorship.
Who could have predicted that Jimmy Kimmel would emerge as a leader in the fight to protect our healthcare rights? He first gained national attention during the Obamacare repeal fight in 2017. His previous advocacy work has solidified him as a leading national voice within the political ecosystem on these issues. Such status often complicates the public reaction to his present suspension.