Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was abruptly pulled off air indefinitely earlier this week, following a firestorm over his remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension, confirmed on September 17 by Sinclair Broadcast Group—the largest ABC affiliate network—came amid mounting pressure from political groups and widespread public backlash.
On the September 15 broadcast, Kimmel criticized former President Donald Trump’s awkward reaction to Kirk’s death, mocking Trump’s focus on White House construction instead of the tragedy. He delivered biting commentary alleging that the MAGA movement was trying to politically co-opt the shooter’s identity, saying, “This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Despite strong criticism—including FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatening to revoke ABC affiliates’ licenses for airing the show—many celebrities have come out in defense of Kimmel, fiercely opposing what they perceive as censorship and a threat to free speech.
Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on the show that night, lamented the cancellation and pointedly criticized Trump. Ben Stiller simply tweeted, “This isn’t right,” while Jamie Lee Curtis offered a heartfelt reflection on Kirk’s death and reposted Kimmel’s own anti-cancellation interview. Mike Birbiglia, who once filled in for Kimmel, publicly defended him against the ban.
Other stars like Megyn Kelly, Christie Brinkley, and Sophia Bush decried the suspension as an erosion of First Amendment rights, warning that it signals troubling censorship trends.
As more entertainers and public figures voice their opposition, the battle over political satire, free speech, and entertainment censorship continues to ignite fierce debate across Hollywood and beyond.
