Celebrities React to Jimmy Kimmel Being Taken Off Air After Charlie Kirk Comments
The suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following remarks he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination has ignited a firestorm in Hollywood. Prominent comedians, actors, journalists, and political commentators have spoken out against ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely,” framing it as a troubling blow to free speech.
Background: Kimmel’s Controversial Monologue
The controversy began during the opening monologue of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, September 15. Kimmel addressed the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kirk’s death was a seismic moment in U.S. politics, sparking national mourning among conservatives and debates over political rhetoric. Roughly 3,000 people, including Kirk’s wife and two young children, were present when the attack occurred.
In his monologue, Kimmel criticized both the political response and the way some factions tried to spin the tragedy:
“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 noted that while the White House lowered flags to half-staff — a gesture he described as “human” — Trump’s own response raised questions.
“Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. Demolition, construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”
The segment quickly spread online and provoked a wave of criticism from Trump supporters.
ABC Pulls the Plug
By Wednesday, September 17, ABC announced the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. A spokesperson for the broadcaster told BBC News:
“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
The move stunned many in the entertainment industry, given Kimmel’s long-standing position as one of late-night television’s most visible voices.
Hollywood Pushes Back
In the hours after the announcement, celebrities and commentators rallied in defense of Kimmel, arguing that removing him from air represented an alarming precedent.
Wanda Sykes
Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes revealed that she had been scheduled as a guest on the show that week but never appeared due to the cancellation. Taking to Instagram, she posted a video in which she took direct aim at the White House:
“Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Her remarks framed the suspension as not just a corporate decision, but a political one with broader implications.
Mike Birbiglia
Fellow comedian Mike Birbiglia issued his own critique on Instagram, defending Kimmel even though they often hold differing views.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
For Birbiglia, the suspension struck at the heart of comedic freedom and solidarity among performers.
Chris Hayes
MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the political undertones of the decision:
“This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close.”
Hayes’s response amplified concerns that the removal was less about professionalism and more about political pressure.
Megyn Kelly
Former Fox News anchor and attorney Megyn Kelly offered a different perspective. While she did not directly condemn the decision, she raised questions about the level of viewer outrage ABC must have faced.
“Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this.”
Kelly’s comments suggested that public backlash may have driven ABC’s hand more than internal policy.
Sophia Bush
Actress and activist Sophia Bush, best known for her role on One Tree Hill, responded on Twitter with a stark warning:
“The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
Bush’s statement placed the issue in the broader context of American democracy and the erosion of constitutional protections.
A Divided Public Reaction
While many celebrities condemned Kimmel’s removal, Trump supporters continued to argue that his remarks crossed a line. For them, mocking a grieving family and a national tragedy — regardless of one’s stance on Trump — represented insensitivity that should not be excused under the banner of free speech.
The division underscored a broader cultural battle: Should late-night hosts be held accountable when their satire overlaps with national tragedy, or is comedy a protected space for social critique?
Kimmel’s History of Criticizing Trump
Kimmel has long been one of Trump’s most consistent critics in the late-night arena, often using monologues to lampoon the former president’s policies and rhetoric. His sharp commentary has drawn both praise and backlash, placing him squarely at the center of the political-cultural divide in U.S. entertainment.
This latest incident, however, represents one of the most serious challenges to his career, as it involves not only network suspension but also a public debate about the limits of satire in moments of grief.
The Larger Free Speech Debate
The fallout has reignited debate about the role of free expression in entertainment media. While networks have the right to suspend or discipline their talent, critics argue that decisions influenced by political pressure — or public outrage campaigns — create a chilling effect for comedians, journalists, and performers.
Supporters of Kimmel see his removal as a warning sign for creative censorship. Detractors, however, view it as a necessary line, particularly when jokes or commentary intersect with sensitive tragedies.
What Happens Next?
As of now, ABC has not outlined a timeline for when — or if — Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air. Kimmel himself has remained silent on the suspension, offering no public comment.
Whether the network reinstates him will likely depend on ongoing conversations between ABC executives, affiliate broadcasters, and advertisers. For now, the incident has left Hollywood divided, with many stars uniting around Kimmel in what they describe as a defense of free speech.
Conclusion
The decision to take Jimmy Kimmel off air following his comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination has set off a cultural clash that extends far beyond late-night television.
For some, it represents accountability in the face of insensitivity. For others, it is an alarming sign of political censorship that threatens the future of comedy and public discourse.
With celebrities like Wanda Sykes, Mike Birbiglia, Chris Hayes, Megyn Kelly, and Sophia Bush weighing in, the controversy shows no sign of quieting down. The coming weeks may determine not only Kimmel’s professional fate but also the boundaries of satire in a politically polarized America.
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