Following the suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* due to the host’s remarks regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Disney streaming service subscribers are canceling their subscriptions. The show’s indefinite suspension came after complaints from FCC chair Brendan Carr, who accused Kimmel of misleading the public. This decision has sparked widespread outrage, with many users expressing their dissatisfaction on social media and some even protesting outside Disney studios. Reactions to the suspension vary across the political spectrum, with both condemnation and praise, while the future of Kimmel’s show remains uncertain.
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In response to Jimmy Kimmel’s show being suspended, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade discussed the situation on “The Ingraham Angle.” Kilmeade noted that Kimmel’s comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk were deemed “too far” by television executives, leading to the show’s preemption. This commentary followed Kilmeade’s own recent controversy, where he suggested “lethal injection” for individuals with mental illness who refuse assistance, sparking significant backlash and calls for his termination. The show’s suspension came after Kimmel’s remarks about the suspect in Kirk’s killing, which were described as “offensive and insensitive.”
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Legal experts are expressing concerns that the Trump administration, through the FCC, may have pressured ABC into dropping Jimmy Kimmel’s show, potentially constituting illegal “jawboning” and censorship. The situation arose after Kimmel made critical remarks about the suspect in the Charlie Kirk killing. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared to threaten legal action against the network and was thanked by Carr for the decision. This is seen as a potential First Amendment violation, with experts like Alex Abdo of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, claiming a direct link between government actions and the suppression of speech.
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U.S. Representative Robert Garcia has launched an investigation into potential “corrupt schemes and threats” aimed at silencing critics of Donald Trump. This investigation was prompted by ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air following pressure from Trump allies and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The show’s cancellation came after Kimmel criticized Trump’s reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, drawing outrage and prompting the FCC chair to suggest regulatory action against ABC. Subsequently, other media outlets preempted Kimmel’s show, leading critics to accuse the Trump administration of undermining free speech and the First Amendment.
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Following the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC-affiliated stations due to perceived offensive comments, Seth Meyers affirmed his commitment to free speech on his show. Meyers expressed his gratitude for living in a country that values freedom of speech and declared he would continue to produce his show with “enthusiasm and integrity.” This stance was taken in the context of the Trump administration’s pressure on ABC, including a threat from the FCC chairman, appointed by Trump, to revoke ABC’s licensing. Meyers emphasized the importance of upholding free expression, noting its prominence in the First Amendment.
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Jon Stewart will host Thursday’s episode of “The Daily Show,” deviating from his usual Monday hosting duties, likely in response to Disney and ABC’s decision to bench Jimmy Kimmel after pressure from the FCC. Kimmel faced criticism for remarks on right-wing pundits and the right-wing media’s reaction. The episode will feature Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa, who has experience fighting government attempts to silence the free press. Stewart has a long history of taking down all those who try to “bend the knee to Trump,” which makes this a highly anticipated episode.
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The House Oversight Committee voted to table a motion to subpoena FCC Chair Brendan Carr regarding ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. Despite the vote falling along party lines, there is potential for a bipartisan effort to bring Carr before the committee. Carr, in the meantime, has expressed the view that the media landscape is undergoing a “massive shift” due to President Trump’s election. Furthermore, Trump has suggested that networks critical of him should face consequences, even suggesting license revocation. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has criticized the previous administration for weaponizing its licensing authority and called Kimmel’s suspension a form of censorship.
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The legal team of Mahmoud Khalil has submitted a letter to the federal court in New Jersey, contesting an immigration judge’s denial of a waiver of removability. This decision, made in Louisiana, brings Mr. Khalil closer to deportation based on “misrepresentation” charges added after his detention. The letter argues the judge’s rushed decision, procedural irregularities, and reliance on government charges demonstrate retaliation for Mr. Khalil’s advocacy for Palestinian human rights. Khalil’s legal team is now challenging the immigration judge’s decision, alleging it is another attempt to silence him and violate his First Amendment rights.
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David Letterman weighed in on the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at the Atlantic Festival, condemning the move as a result of an “authoritarian criminal administration” in the Oval Office. Letterman, who hosted late-night shows for decades, stated he never faced pressure from any governmental agency regarding his political humor. He criticized the Federal Communications Commission’s Brendan Carr and expressed his belief that Kimmel’s situation reflects a broader trend of managed media and manipulation within the industry. Letterman also mentioned the end of Stephen Colbert’s run on late night at CBS, saying that it was “inexcusable”, as the show was being manipulated to appease the president.
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The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live “indefinitely” by Disney-owned ABC came after an explicit threat from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr. Carr, wielding the FCC’s power to regulate broadcast TV and approve mergers, pressured ABC-affiliated stations to stop airing the show, citing concerns about Kimmel’s comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s death. This governmental overreach, mirroring a prior tactic used on Paramount, led to the suspension, demonstrating an attempt to dictate the speech of private TV networks and entertainers. The FCC chair’s actions stand in stark contrast to First Amendment principles and have been condemned by some.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Jon Stewart Returns to The Daily Show, Addresses Kimmel’s Suspension and Media Concerns
Jon Stewart will host Thursday’s episode of “The Daily Show,” deviating from his usual Monday hosting duties, likely in response to Disney and ABC’s decision to bench Jimmy Kimmel after pressure from the FCC. Kimmel faced criticism for remarks on right-wing pundits and the right-wing media’s reaction. The episode will feature Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa, who has experience fighting government attempts to silence the free press. Stewart has a long history of taking down all those who try to “bend the knee to Trump,” which makes this a highly anticipated episode.
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