Jimmy Kimmel Disney/Randy Holmes Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment While President Donald Trump is celebrating Jimmy Kimmel Live! getting suspended by ABC over host Jimmy Kimmel's viral Charlie Kirk remarks, other Hollywood notables and political figures are slamming the network's decision. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is among those calling ABC's move an attack on free speech, writing 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." Related Stories TV Bryan Cranston Reveals Why He Missed Accepting His Guest Actor Emmy in Person Lifestyle Jimmy Kimmel to Host Selena Gomez's Third Annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit On Wednesday, ABC announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be "pre-empted indefinitely" after Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel for saying during his Monday night show that he suspected Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson was a MAGA Republican. "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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," Kimmel said during his opening monologue. After, Carr also threatened to take action against ABC affiliates over Kimmel's remarks. In response to ABC's decision, Michael Kosta, a comedian and one of The Daily Show's rotating hosts, highlighted the First Amendment on his Instagram Story, adding, "This is a serious moment in American history. TV networks MUST push back. This is complete BS." In an Instagram video, comedian and actress Wandy Sykes blamed the suspension on "complaints by the Trump administration." She added, "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." Alex Edelman, writer, comedian and star on The Paper, also wrote on X, "This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much." Actor and comedian Paul Scheer wrote on Threads, responding to a video of Fox commentator Brian Kilmeade calling for mentally ill homeless people to be killed, "So let me get this straight. Kimmel is off the air for his comments about the politicization of an assassination but this is totally fine." More reactions to the news about the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! follow. 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.- Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 17, 2025 This isn't right. https://t.co/mVJ8308w1k- Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) September 17, 2025 This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I've ever seen in my life and it's not even close. https://t.co/uMjEZkIpat- Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 17, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) America is meant to be a bastion of free speech.
Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what's happening to Jimmy Kimmel.
This is about protecting democracy.
This must go to court.- Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 18, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by WS (@iamwandasykes) THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Jimmy Kimmel Live! Trump Celebrates After ABC Suspends 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Over Charlie Kirk Shooting Comments The Muppets Seth Rogen Revives 'The Muppet Show' as a Disney+ Special Starring Sabrina Carpenter Live Feed ABC Suspends 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' "Indefinitely" Over Charlie Kirk Shooting Comments Live Feed 'Gen V' Star Lizze Broadway on Her Darker Season 2 Turn and Honoring Chance Perdomo Through Her Character Live Feed Ben Stiller, Jessica Chastain to Topline Apple Limited Series 'The Off Weeks' Live Feed How 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' Will Reclaim Knox's Narrative in Final Two Episodes Jimmy Kimmel Live! Trump Celebrates After ABC Suspends 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Over Charlie Kirk Shooting Comments The Muppets Seth Rogen Revives 'The Muppet Show' as a Disney+ Special Starring Sabrina Carpenter Live Feed ABC Suspends 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' "Indefinitely" Over Charlie Kirk Shooting Comments Live Feed 'Gen V' Star Lizze Broadway on Her Darker Season 2 Turn and Honoring Chance Perdomo Through Her Character Live Feed Ben Stiller, Jessica Chastain to Topline Apple Limited Series 'The Off Weeks' Live Feed How 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' Will Reclaim Knox's Narrative in Final Two Episodes