On September 17th, 2025, ABC suspended production of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! over the comedian’s comments on Charlie Kirk, an American right-wing activist and influencer who was assassinated while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University on September 10th. In his monologue last Monday, Kimmel said that “the MAGA gang [was] desperately trying to characterize [the] kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” as an attempt “to score political points.” Kimmel then suggested that Trump’s political movement, MAGA, wanted to exploit the situation. Following this, Kimmel criticized Trump’s outward display of grief over the death of his “friend,” equating him to a four-year-old mourning a goldfish.
This prompted a furious response from Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee and Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Carr accused Kimmel of “the sickest conduct possible” and demanded an apology. The FCC, which regulates broadcasting, ultimately threatened to revoke ABC affiliate licenses if they kept Kimmel on air. Donald Trump welcomed Kimmel’s indefinite suspension as “great news for America.”
But what does “great news for America” truly entail? Typically, I would consider “great news for America” to be inflation control, advancements in healthcare, or achieving a greater sense of national unity. I most definitely would not consider blatant censorship of speech to be “great news for America”. In fact, I would consider it to be the exact opposite.
Standing up for Kimmel is not about supporting a man temporarily out of work, but rather about protecting democracy. The First Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights was designed to protect five fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. As the government uses its regulatory power to silence any media voices it dislikes, the world continues to face a threat to the right to freedom of speech and the press.
Kirk’s whole persona was centered around his willingness and availability to debate individuals on the other side of the political spectrum. He welcomed the chance to argue civilly, and that will forever be a part of his legacy. With that being said, I can’t help but question how we can promote the views of one side of the political spectrum while censoring the other? How is temporarily canceling Jimmy Kimmel Live! honoring Kirk as a “great American hero.” After all, he was killed representing the very government ideal that Kimmel was restricted by: freedom of speech.
By definition, freedom of speech is the right to express ideas without government interference. Freedom of the press is defined as the right of the media to publish information and opinions without government censorship. Trump’s threat to revoke ABC’s license, coupled with Kimmel’s suspension, raise serious concerns of governmental overreach, blurring the lines between democratic leadership and authoritarianism.
Some may argue that Kimmel’s remarks crossed a line, labeling them as offensive, insensitive, or as outright misinformation. In Carr’s eyes, Jimmy Kimmel appeared to “mislead” the American public with unverified facts regarding Kirk’s killing. In my opinion, a media personality should never be forced to distort the truth in order to align with the values of our government. However, if Carr is going to censor one comedian for “misinformation,” it’s only fair that he censors all propagandist entertainers.
Not only is direct censorship plaguing our country, but so is the growing concern of self-censorship. Nowadays, in an attempt to stay off the radar or avoid backlash, some broadcasters feel the need to avoid certain topics, essentially censoring themselves. A free press is crucial for holding those in power accountable. With certain truths repeatedly suppressed, there is no way for citizens to differentiate between propaganda, biased narratives, and honest reporting. At this turbulent time for America, the need for a free and fearless press has never been greater.