Obama, Ben Stiller React to Suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel L…
The abrupt suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has left the internet reeling.
Celebrities began speaking out after news surfaced that Kimmel’s show was “indefinitely” dropped from ABC on Wednesday (Sept. 17) because of his comments regarding the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death.
Following the fatal shooting of Kirk on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, there has been much speculation about the political affiliations of the alleged gunman, Tyler Robinson.
While conservatives swear Robinson is a leftist, liberals think the opposite, and no consensus has yet been reached.
On Monday night’s show, Kimmel noted conservative officials’ efforts to blame left-wing ideology and pro-transgender sentiment for the shooting—and the repercussions were fierce.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said in his opening monologue.
Facing threats of repercussions from Brendan Carr, who has held the position of Federal Communications Commission chair since being appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017, ABC announced its decision to pull Kimmel’s show.
What celebrities are saying after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was dropped indefinitely from ABC
Big names, from politicians to actors to comedians, responded to the news online, many condemning ABC’s drop of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and warning of the implications for free speech.
Former President Barack Obama wrote on X, “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.”
Marlon Wayans also reacted to Kimmel’s cancellation, telling Access Hollywood, “This is America. You know what we’re seeing is not something that me, as a Black man, hasn’t seen before. I just think it’s a shame, and I think every last single American loses because of this.”
He added, “It’s not an ending. Guys and artists and voices like Jimmy Kimmel—we have to be courageous, and it’s a new beginning. You can’t stop the dunk. You just made me create a new lane, that’s all.”
See more reactions from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Marc Maron, and comedian Mike Birbiglia below.