ABC’s resolution to drag Jimmy Kimmel Reside! from the air on Wednesday (September 17) over feedback Jimmy Kimmel made concerning the Charlie Kirk taking pictures is inflicting fairly the stir on-line, with a number of Hollywood stars taking to social media to share their reactions.
Disney’s ABC made the announcement late Wednesday, revealing the late-night present could be on “indefinite hiatus” amid backlash over feedback Kimmel made on Monday’s (September 15) present. The transfer got here after highly effective station group Nexstar introduced it will preempt the present on its 32 ABC affiliate stations.
After the information broke, many celebrities shared their shock, together with Hacks star Jean Good, who wrote on Instagram, “I’m horrified on the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Reside. What Jimmy stated was FREE speech, not hate speech. Folks appear to solely need to defend free speech when it fits THEIR agenda.”
She added, “Although I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his taking pictures demise sickened me; and may have sickened any first rate human being. What is going on to our nation?”
Actor and Severance director Ben Stiller additionally commented, writing on X, “This isn’t proper.”
This isn’t proper. https://t.co/mVJ8308w1k
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) September 17, 2025
President Obama stated Trump’s White Home has taken “cancel tradition” to “a brand new and harmful degree.”
After years of complaining about cancel tradition, the present administration has taken it to a brand new and harmful degree by routinely threatening regulatory motion towards media firms until they muzzle or fireplace reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 18, 2025
Former VP and one-time presidential candidate Kamala Harris took to Instagram on Thursday to voice her issues over what she described as an assault on First Modification rights: “What we’re witnessing is an outright abuse of energy. This administration is attacking critics and utilizing concern as a weapon to silence anybody who would communicate out. Media companies — from tv networks to newspapers — are capitulating to those threats. We can not dare to be silent or complacent within the face of this frontal assault on free speech. We, the Folks, deserve higher.”
“That is distress,” stated late-night legend David Letterman when requested about Kimmel’s suspension. “We see the place that is all going, right? It’s managed media. And it’s no good. It’s foolish. It’s ridiculous. And you may’t go round firing someone since you’re fearful or making an attempt to suck as much as an authoritarian felony administration within the Oval Workplace. That’s simply not how this works.”
Letterman, who was at a talking engagement at The Atlantic Competition 2025 on Thursday in New York, additionally commented on Trump’s involvement relating to Kimmel. “The establishment of the president of america must be larger than a man doing a chat present.”
Comic Wanda Sykes, who was purported to be a visitor on Wednesday’s present, stated in an Instagram video, “Let’s see, [Trump] didn’t finish the Ukraine Warfare or resolve Gaza inside his first week. However he did finish freedom of speech inside his first 12 months. Hey, for these of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
MSNBC host Chris Hayes known as the transfer “essentially the most simple assault on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even shut.”
That is essentially the most simple assault on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even shut. https://t.co/uMjEZkIpat
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 17, 2025
Rosie O’Donnell took to Instagram, sharing a photograph of Kimmel and writing, “That is unacceptable – f*** this fascist administration and corrupt company executives – bowing to the orange monster – america is not any extra 🥲.”
One Tree Hill alum Sophia Bush added, “The First Modification doesn’t exist in America anymore. Interval. Fascism is right here and it’s chilling.”
The First Modification doesn’t exist in America anymore. Interval. Fascism is right here and it’s chilling. https://t.co/G2iwFmJwQJ
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) September 17, 2025
Comic and Tim & Eric star Tim Heidecker spoke to The Hollywood Reporter concerning the state of affairs on the premiere of his new film Him, saying, “I’m positive Jimmy will probably be okay but it surely’s very scary and is totally state-sponsored censorship. I imply the man from the FCC stated, ‘We will do that the straightforward approach or the arduous approach’ — that’s like mob stuff. I’m very upset by it. Late night time TV shouldn’t be my factor however that’s OK, I believe he ought to be capable of say what he desires, inside cause. What he stated didn’t appear that loopy.”
Heidecker was referring to feedback made by Trump-appointed FCC chair Brendan Carr, who instructed right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson on Wednesday, “We will do that the straightforward approach or the arduous approach. These firms can discover methods to alter conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be extra work for the FCC forward.”
Carr made comparable feedback on Fox Information later that night time, per CNN, saying, “We on the FCC are going to pressure the general public curiosity obligation. There are broadcasters on the market that don’t prefer it, they will flip of their license in to the FCC. However that’s our job. Once more, we’re making some progress now.”
President Trump celebrated the information on Wednesday, writing on Fact Social, “Nice Information for America: The rankings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Present is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for lastly having the braveness to do what needed to be completed.”
He continued, “Kimmel has ZERO expertise, and worse rankings than even Colbert, if that’s potential. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two complete losers, on Faux Information NBC. Their rankings are additionally horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”