On Thursday, US President Donald Trump expressed approval for the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel and suggested that TV broadcasters should have their licenses revoked due to negative coverage of his administration. This statement has intensified the ongoing national debate surrounding free speech.
Kimmel has been caught in the controversy involving Trump and his supporters, who are seeking to penalize critics of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah university on September 10. Trump’s allies have since warned Americans to properly mourn Kirk, a polarizing figure, or face repercussions.
The Walt Disney-owned network ABC announced on Wednesday that it was pulling the late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live” off the air indefinitely following backlash from conservatives over his Monday segment. Writers, performers, former US President Barack Obama, and others criticized Kimmel’s suspension, calling it a surrender to unconstitutional government influence.
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On Thursday, approximately 150 protesters gathered outside the Hollywood studio where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is filmed to oppose the show’s suspension. Many held signs with messages like, “Don’t Bend a Knee to Trump,” “Resist fascism,” “Douse the mouse,” and “Cancel Disney+.”
On “The Late Show” on CBS, Stephen Colbert spoofed Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” song “Be Our Guest” by altering the lyrics to “shut your trap.”
“Jimmy, I am with you and your team 100%,” Colbert declared. CBS announced in July the cancellation of Colbert’s show as a business decision, although critics perceived it as an attempt to appease Trump.
On Comedy Central, Jon Stewart was humorously introduced as the “patriotically obedient host” of the “new, government-approved ‘Daily Show.'” He sarcastically lauded “our great father” Trump.
“The visit to England was perfect for our president,” Stewart commented on Trump’s state visit. “Finally, a nation giving our great leader the reverence and respect any sun god would demand.”
During his UK visit, Trump labeled Kimmel as untalented and criticized him for making “a horrible comment about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk.”
Kimmel, a comedian known for satirizing Trump, remarked in his Monday monologue that Kirk’s allies were exploiting his assassination for political gain. He also mocked Trump for turning a question about mourning Kirk into a promotion for his White House ballroom.
“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of a friend. This is how a child mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel quipped.
A 22-year-old Utah technical college student was charged with Kirk’s murder on Tuesday.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has utilized his position and the courts to challenge unflattering speech about him, deeming it defamatory or false.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has threatened to revoke licenses for local broadcasters affiliated with national networks – licenses regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, an ostensibly independent agency.
Kimmel’s suspension followed FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s threat to investigate Kimmel’s remarks on Kirk, and local TV station owners indicated they would cease airing his celebrity-laden late-night program.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump complained about unfavorable media coverage, saying, “That’s something to discuss regarding licensing. … All they do is criticize Trump.”
“I think their license might need to be revoked,” Trump suggested. “Brendan Carr will decide.”
Federal law prohibits the FCC from revoking a broadcaster’s license due to negative coverage or other government-disliked speech.
Kimmel is the most prominent American facing professional backlash for comments conservatives deemed disrespectful towards Kirk, alongside media figures, academics, teachers, and corporate employees.
Democrats accused Trump of attacking First Amendment free speech rights. Republicans argued they are combating “hate speech” that could incite violence, accusing some Kirk critics of attempting to justify his killing.
Kirk’s death prompted widespread mourning from fans who viewed him as a staunch advocate for public discourse and conservative values. Others have contested or mocked Kirk’s support for right-wing politics, Christian nationalism, and derogatory remarks about immigrants, African Americans, and transgender individuals.
ABC owns eight local TV stations subject to FCC licensing, including those in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia.
