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On Sept. 16, Jimmy Kimmel, host of the late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, made several comments surrounding the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. During his monologue, he stated, “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” (CNN). To say that this comment was ill-received would be an understatement.
The very next day, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr stated on conservative podcast The Benny Show, “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” This comment implied that the government agency would take direct action against Kimmel, an American, for exercising his freedom of speech. It was soon announced later that day by an ABC spokesperson that Kimmel’s show was cancelled indefinitely after 23 years and nearly 4,000 shows.
This removal was rejoiced by President Trump, who posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate ABC for taking action against Kimmel. He also took this as an opportunity to pressure NBC to take Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers off the air next.
On the other side of the spectrum, a diverse group of people supported Kimmel. From the man who fired him from his very first podcast show to fans and friends of Kimmel, many different individuals rallied to support him. Even Texan Senator Ted Cruz, a longtime critic of Kimmel, criticized the larger impact of taking Kimmel off the air: censorship. He commented that, “…if the government gets in the business of saying ‘We don’t like what you, the media, have said, we’re going to ban you from the airways if you don’t say what we like.’ That will end up bad for conservatives” (Jimmy Fallon Live!). This censorship is not only bad for liberalism but for conservatism as well. It’s bad for all Americans.
Kimmel’s first show back was on Sept. 24, where he started by thanking all of the people who came together to support him. And at last, after days of waiting, he tearfully addressed the comments that he had made about Charlie Kirk’s assassination; he explained that he never meant to make light of the murder of a young man and that he had sent out love to Kirk’s family over Instagram. He continued that he has friends and family on the right, whom he still loves and cares for, despite their general disagreements about politics.
Kimmel commented on his numerous concerns, which have created a political sphere where late-night talk shows are targets for government censorship. He said that pulling Steven Colbert off the air was “un-American.” To Kimmel, it is not his show that is important, but the fact that he lives in a country that allows him to have a show like his—a show that critiques the government, society, and makes comedy skits about political leaders. Shows like these are what create a flourishing, vibrant democracy in America, a democracy fueled by free speech and critique.
Although Kimmel was only off the air for six days, the removal of his show is a testament to the state of America, which is becoming an increasingly censored society. The fact that U.S. leaders are making consistent commentary calling for the removal of late-night talk shows should be a significant source of concern for America as it amplifies during Trump’s second term.
