President Barack Obama has spoken out strongly after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show was suspended following his controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing.
ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be taken off the air indefinitely, just hours after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned the network of possible regulatory action. The move has sparked backlash from viewers, media colleagues, and political figures.
On X (formerly Twitter), Obama criticized what he described as the Trump administration’s push of cancel culture “to a new and dangerous level.” He wrote:
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.”
Kimmel’s suspension followed a monologue where he criticized attempts by Trump supporters to distance themselves from Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk’s murder. His comments were labeled “offensive and insensitive” by Nexstar Communications Group, which operates 23 ABC affiliates.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
Kimmel, whose contract expires in May 2026, has yet to publicly respond. However, reports suggest he may collaborate with fellow host Stephen Colbert who also faced cancellation earlier this year in a united effort to push back against what they view as political pressure on the media.
This incident has reignited debates on free speech, cancel culture, and the role of government influence over broadcasters, raising questions about how far political pressure should extend into the entertainment industry.
stop. washing. ABC. period
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