Top stars call Jimmy Kimmel suspension 'dark moment' for free speech

September 22, 2025

ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following his comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination, prompting hundreds of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Meryl Streep to sign a letter calling the suspension "a dark moment for freedom of speech. " FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened regulatory action against ABC after Kimmel's monologue criticized Trump and Republicans for their reaction to Kirk's murder. The controversy has sparked a national debate on free speech, with critics accusing ABC and Disney of caving to pressure from the Trump administration, which has subsequently threatened broadcast networks with license revocation.

Who is affected

Jimmy Kimmel and his late-night show
ABC and its parent company Disney
Television viewers of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Broadcast networks potentially facing regulatory pressure
Celebrities who signed the ACLU letter
Teachers, government employees, researchers, and students mentioned in the letter as facing "direct attacks on their freedom of expression"
Other late-night hosts feeling pressure over free speech concerns

What action is being taken

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel's show indefinitely
Hundreds of celebrities are signing a letter supporting Kimmel and defending free speech
Nexstar Media stations are refusing to air Kimmel's show "for the foreseeable future"
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is spearheading a letter campaign
Fellow late-night hosts are speaking out against Kimmel's suspension

Why it matters

The situation represents what celebrities call "a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation"
It highlights potential government pressure on media companies through regulatory threats
The controversy demonstrates tensions between political criticism and potential consequences for broadcasters
The incident raises concerns about the independence of media from government influence
It illustrates broader issues of free speech affecting various sectors of society including education and government

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC