In a move shaking late-night TV, ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after comments Kimmel made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The reaction? A firestorm of backlash and fierce support from across Hollywood.
During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel criticized MAGA figures for allegedly trying to distance themselves from the shooter, calling it a new low. “They’re desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” he said, accusing Trump supporters of politicizing the tragedy.
ABC’s response was swift — and severe. The network pulled the show, igniting a massive response from industry insiders and fans alike.
David Letterman minced no words at The Atlantic Festival, calling the move “managed media” and suggesting the decision was part of a chilling trend. “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration,” he declared. He also revealed he texted Kimmel, assuring audiences the host was “up in bed, taking nourishment.”
Damon Lindelof, producer of ABC’s Lost, said he’d refuse to work with Disney unless the suspension is reversed. Ben Stiller labeled it simply: “This isn’t right.” And Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear that night, accused Trump of ending free speech.
Other voices like Paul Scheer, Jean Smart, Sophia Bush, Rosie O’Donnell, and Kathy Griffin decried the cancellation as a clear attack on the First Amendment. Alex Edelman called it “the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much,” while Christie Brinkley warned that comedians like Kimmel are “as important as the air we breathe.”
Interestingly, even Adam Carolla, a longtime friend and conservative voice, spoke against the government’s involvement, underscoring how bipartisan the alarm over censorship has become.
All this happens under the shadow of a previous Truth Social post by Trump where he mocked Kimmel, hinting he’d be the next to go after Stephen Colbert’s exit announcement in July.
As the entertainment world circles the wagons around Kimmel, the battle seems far bigger than one man or one show — it’s about whether late-night comedy can survive in the new American media landscape.
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