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Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension after controversial remarks regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sparked divided opinions. Supporters label the action as an example of “cancel culture,” while critics view it as a warranted response.
On Monday’s episode, Kimmel discussed the MAGA movement’s reaction to Kirk’s murder, suggesting, without evidence, that the assassin was a conservative.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel remarked, also criticizing Trump for avoiding questions about how he was coping after losing a close friend.
Following pressure from the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, Disney announced on Wednesday that Kimmel’s show would be “indefinitely” suspended. This decision was perceived by Kimmel’s left-leaning supporters as yielding to Trump’s FCC, with many interpreting the suspension as a direct order from Trump.
“This administration is systematically killing free speech, and these capitulating media companies are acting as willing accomplices. Frightening and shameful,” journalist S.E. Cupp stated.
https://x.com/secupp/status/1968458655272935536
Influencer Harry Sisson expressed concern, saying, “In Donald Trump’s America, your right to free speech doesn’t exist. Trump, Bondi, Patel, have all made it clear that they will come after people who dissent. Another dark day in this country.”
David Frum from the Atlantic drew a parallel, wondering how the reaction would differ if the Biden administration demanded Fox fire Greg Gutfeld for not displaying enough sorrow over Paul Pelosi’s assault. However, his analogy faced backlash, with critics pointing out that Kimmel’s suspension stemmed from a false claim about the assassination, not a lack of mourning.
MSNBC host Chris Hayes suggested that Kimmel’s suspension indicated the country was moving towards dictatorship, stating, “The countries where comedians can’t mock the leader on late-night TV are not really ones you want to live in.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker went further, asserting that Kimmel’s cancellation could be the beginning of an authoritarian regime, even referencing the Holocaust, given his work in constructing a Holocaust museum.
“This is the playbook, folks. If you’re not paying attention now and doing something about it, well then you’re going to have to sit down the rest of your life, because democracy is being taken away,” he said during an MSNBC appearance.
Conversely, many users believed Kimmel’s suspension was warranted, including Trump, who celebrated the news.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
Supporters of Kimmel’s suspension argued that his comments constituted a violation of the law, which prohibits broadcasting false information about crimes or catastrophes if it leads to substantial public harm.
“Jimmy Kimmel lied about Charlie’s assassination and used the opportunity to defame Charlie’s own friends and allies. He deserves to be fired for it. These are the repercussions that conservatives have been experiencing for years for infractions not nearly as egregious. Good riddance, Kimmel, you disgusting scumbag,” said Daily Wire host Matt Walsh on social media.
https://x.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1968504811487211662
Piers Morgan remarked, “Jimmy Kimmel lied about Charlie Kirk’s assassin being MAGA. This caused understandable outrage all over America, prompted TV station owners to say they wouldn’t air him, and he’s now been suspended by his employers. Why is he being heralded as some kind of free speech martyr?”
Megyn Kelly, a close friend of Kirk’s, lambasted Kimmel, stating, “Jimmy Kimmel got on the air and falsely stated as a fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing an entire movement and Trump in particular with a vile disgusting lie.” She emphasized that Kimmel’s comments came shortly after it was established that the assassin held left-wing beliefs.
Kelly added, “This was an intentional lie to GIN UP HATRED toward the very group of people most suffering in the wake of our devastating loss of Charlie, and Kimmel did it willfully and even gleefully to a cheering complicit audience.”
Comedian and Fox News host Greg Gutfeld countered claims that Kimmel’s suspension was an attack on free speech, stating, “I have friends who will be performing in front of live audiences that number in the thousands. They aren’t worried about being fired; they’re worried now about being fired upon.”
Some commentators expressed mixed feelings, supporting Kimmel’s suspension while opposing the idea that it was due to FCC pressure. Fox News analyst Brit Hume noted, “The First Amendment does not protect performers like Jimmy Kimmel from being cancelled by their private sector employers. But I would have liked the outcome a lot better if the chairman of the FCC had not involved himself in it.”
The Young Turks host Ana Kasparian stated that she would support Kimmel’s suspension if it were an independent decision by ABC, but would oppose it if influenced by FCC intervention.
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https://x.com/greggutfeld/status/1968645913577922656
https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/1968474692886340002
https://x.com/piersmorgan/status/1968637414127087832
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https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115222372625104790
https://x.com/chrislhayes/status/1968442469994864861
https://x.com/harryjsisson/status/1968512042907705737
