Hollywood Pushes Back After ABC Pulls Kimmel: ‘Cancel Culture in Action’
ABC has removed Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its schedule indefinitely, sparking outrage from Hollywood stars, media personalities, and advocacy groups.
The network’s move came after Nexstar Media, which owns 32 ABC affiliates, announced it would stop airing the show following Kimmel’s comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 during a debate at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested a suspect days later. In his monologue on September 15, Kimmel criticized conservatives for trying to politicize 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,” he said.
Kimmel also mocked Donald Trump’s response, after the former president diverted attention to a White House ballroom.
Jimmy Kimmel’s full comments on Charlie Kirk which led to his show being taken off air indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/Ctg7LL8HWL
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 18, 2025
Nexstar released a statement explaining its decision: “Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
President Donald Trump quickly celebrated Kimmel’s suspension on Truth Social, writing: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”
Many in Hollywood and the media condemned ABC’s decision as an attack on free speech. California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: “Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Comedian Wanda Sykes shared her reaction on Instagram, saying she had been scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show. “As you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel show has been pulled indefinitely, abruptly because of complaints by the Trump administration,” she said. “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.”
Other stars also spoke out. Jean Smart, who appeared with Kimmel on Hacks, said: “I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech… Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”
Ben Stiller added: “This isn’t right.” Michael Keaton shared a handwritten note saying: “ABC, NBC, CBS, stand up!!! Stand the f**** up!!!”
Several comedians highlighted the First Amendment and the threat to creative freedom. Michael Kosta from The Daily Show wrote: “This is a serious moment in American history. TV networks MUST push back. This is complete BS.”
Mike Birbiglia commented: “I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
Chris Hayes also weighed in, saying: “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.” Don Lemon pointed out the irony of critics claiming comedians are “too woke” while simultaneously silencing them: “The folks who are complaining about killing comedy are killing comedy. The folks who are complaining about cancelling people are cancelling people.”
Hasan Piker called on liberals to push back, writing on X: “EVERY CORPORATION IS INSTANTLY FOLDING TO THE ADMIN EVEN WHEN ITS OVER AN UTTERLY INOFFENSIVE JOKE THE ADMIN DOESNT LIKE! LIBERALS NEED TO WAKE UP!!!! WE ALL HAVE TO FIGHT BACK, THESE WEALTHY ASSHOLES ARENT GOING TO STAND UP FOR ANYTHING BEYOND THEIR BOTTOM LINE!”
The Writers Guild of America also issued a statement defending Kimmel and creative freedom: “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people… Silencing us impoverishes the whole world. The WGA stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers.”
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between political pressures, corporate decisions, and freedom of speech in media. Kimmel joins Stephen Colbert and Matthew Dowd as the latest figures affected by these pressures, leaving the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! uncertain.
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