Former US President Barack Obama has voiced concerns over what he describes as the “dangerous” escalation of “cancel culture” under the Trump administration. His comments follow the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after Kimmel made remarks linking the MAGA movement to the death of Charlie Kirk, a political figure.
In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Obama asserted that such government actions represent the very kind of coercion the First Amendment aimed to prohibit. Meanwhile, former President Trump has attributed the show’s removal to low ratings rather than political motives. Kimmel’s comments, made during a monologue, implied that the suspect in Kirk’s death, Tyler Robinson, could have had connections to right-wing politics, a claim contested by the suspect’s family, who noted that he had adopted more progressive views recently.
Kimmel’s show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, was abruptly pulled from the air after Nexstar Communications withdrew it from their ABC affiliates, citing Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive” amid a politically charged atmosphere. Following the show’s suspension, Kimmel’s staff were reportedly blindsided, having engaged in routine preparations just before the announcement. Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on the show, expressed shock, urging those who pray to do so at this uncertain time.
ABC has not provided a specific reason for the suspension, and although Kimmel’s show has not been outright cancelled, there is no indication of when it may resume. The situation escalated as the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressed intentions to hold both Kimmel and his network accountable for “spreading misinformation.”
Trump’s response to Kimmel’s situation came during a press conference on his UK state visit, in which he dismissed Kimmel’s talent and labelled his low ratings as justification for the show’s withdrawal. He asserted that “freedom of speech” was being misapplied in discussions surrounding Kimmel’s comments.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s suspension, sources close to ABC have indicated that his long-standing ties to the network complicate the decision, given his two-decade history with the show. As public sentiment mounts regarding this incident, it reflects broader national tensions over freedom of expression and media accountability.