Disney’s ABC confirmed on Wednesday, September 17, that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be placed on indefinite hiatus, igniting a firestorm of reactions across Hollywood and beyond. The decision follows Kimmel’s controversial comments regarding the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, sparking a national conversation about censorship, corporate control, and free speech.
The Comments That Sparked the Suspension
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. During the September 15 broadcast of his late-night show, Kimmel took direct aim at supporters of former President Donald Trump.
“The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
The monologue quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from conservative circles. Nexstar Media — the largest local broadcast and digital media company in the United States, with more than 200 stations — issued a statement blasting Kimmel’s remarks. The company said it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
The timing of the controversy is notable, as Nexstar is awaiting Federal Communications Commission approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna. FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, praised Nexstar’s move on X (formerly Twitter):
“It is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.”
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Hollywood Outrage: “This Is About Free Speech”
The suspension has triggered an avalanche of responses from Hollywood actors, comedians, and public figures. Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show that night, took to Instagram to post a passionate video:
“Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Comedian Mike Birbiglia joined in on Instagram, writing:
“I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
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Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Join the Chorus
Actor Ben Stiller simply posted:
“This isn’t right.”
Actress Sophia Bush echoed him, stating:
“The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
Comedian Alex Edelman commented:
“This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much.”
Political figures also entered the fray. Senator Cory Booker posted the text of the First Amendment on Instagram, reminding followers of its protections, while comedian Michael Kosta shared the same text on his Stories. Representative Jasmine Crockett went even further in her criticism, writing on X:
“Kimmel hurts MAGA’s feelings by holding a mirror up & so the First Amendment is out the window and his show is pulled… who is going to tell them that, that is the definition of being a snowflake… as well as supporting anti-democratic ideals? (Not patriotic at all).”
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Crockett also pointed out what she sees as hypocrisy in media coverage:
“Now is anyone going to talk about the fact that Faux News had an anchor say that mentally ill homeless people should be given ‘involuntary lethal injection,’ and days later an unhoused man is strung up in a tree in Mississippi & an entire homeless encampment was targeted where 2 individuals were shot in the head & 5 others were injured in Minnesota… NO OUTRAGE, let alone coverage, because you only value certain lives & certain speech. I’m waiting on y’all soft asses to cancel rainbows.”
Comedian Kathy Griffin urged public support:
“Please, take it from me, it is very important to have Jimmy Kimmel’s back right now. Be vocal. Be an ideological consumer. Money is all their crown cares about.”
Media Personalities and Late-Night Allies Speak Up
Actress Jean Smart shared a personal photo with Kimmel and wrote:
“I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”
CNN anchor Don Lemon added on Threads:
“The Jimmy Kimmel Live! show has been preempted indefinitely over a joke. This should send a chill down everyone’s spine in America!”
Actor Henry Winkler shared his thoughts on X:
“@jimmykimmel his humor, his insights are important to keep showing us who we are. AND he is a most wonderful fellow.”
Musician John Legend reposted commentator David Frum’s words:
“How dare you call us fascists just because our appointees threaten government retaliation against broadcast networks if their comedians don’t say what we want them to say.”
@jimmykimmel his humor, his insights are important to keep showing us who we are . AND he is a most wonderful fellow
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) September 18, 2025
Actor Jon Cryer sarcastically wrote on Bluesky:
“Very much looking forward to Elon Musk’s spirited defense of Jimmy Kimmel’s free speech.”
Supermodel Christie Brinkley posted on Instagram Stories:
“Love these guys! The laughter they provide us is as important as the air we breathe! And they are taking another one of them off the air tonight! WE MUST PROTECT their and OUR 1st Amendment RIGHTS!!!!”
Politicians, Journalists, and Musicians Weigh In
The outrage wasn’t limited to Hollywood. Media veteran Geraldo Rivera acknowledged the nuance of the situation, writing:
“Regarding Jimmy Kimmel, censorship sucks, but so does inflaming hatred. America’s in a tight spot right now. We don’t have to agree, but we have to respect each other.”
Actor Josh Gad expressed concern on Threads:
“I see we are at the passive participation of authoritarianism now. God help us all.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom warned on X:
“Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Actress Alison Brie shared a screenshot of the news with the caption:
“This is unreal. And very scary.”
Musician Halsey posted to Instagram Stories:
“We’re in the ‘tell on your friends and neighbors,’ ‘extreme censorship,’ ‘indistinguishable propaganda’ part of the fascism, in case it wasn’t clear.”
What’s Next for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’?
Kimmel, who has been the face of ABC’s late-night programming since 2003, is no stranger to controversy. But the show’s indefinite suspension leaves its future in limbo. For many in Hollywood, the decision represents more than the fate of one late-night host — it’s a battle over the boundaries of political satire, the influence of corporate media, and the meaning of free expression in a polarized America.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: this controversy has become bigger than Jimmy Kimmel. It’s a flashpoint in the ongoing culture war over what can — and cannot — be said on television.
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