The Daily Star Ireland
Comedian and former late-night host Conan O’Brien has strongly criticized ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Kimmel’s comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. O’Brien, who fronted his own talk show for over a decade, warned that the move should alarm people across the political spectrum, describing it as an attack on free expression.
The controversy erupted after Kimmel openly criticized efforts by some conservatives to distance themselves from the gunman accused of killing Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump. ABC pulled the show from its schedule on Wednesday, triggering heated debate over political influence in broadcasting.
Political Fallout and Network Pressure
The suspension quickly drew in national figures. President Trump, addressing reporters on Friday, suggested that TV networks offering only negative coverage of him should risk losing their broadcasting licenses. His comments sparked concerns about political overreach into media regulation.
Conan O’Brien, in a statement shared on Instagram, did not mince words. “The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and the promise to silence other late-night hosts for criticizing the administration should disturb everyone on the right, left, and center,” he wrote. “It’s wrong, and anyone with a conscience knows it’s wrong.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has come under the spotlight. Commissioner Brendan Carr told Fox News that broadcasters must be held accountable to the “public interest,” warning that networks unhappy with oversight could “turn their license in to the FCC.” Critics, however, say such rhetoric risks weaponizing federal agencies against political opponents.
Reaction Across the Late-Night Landscape
Kimmel’s colleagues across the late-night circuit rallied in support. On Thursday, Jon Stewart opened a special edition of The Daily Show by mocking what he called “patriotic obedience,” sarcastically portraying himself as a host too deferential to the president. Seth Meyers took a similar satirical approach, joking that the crackdown on free speech was “completely unrelated” to his newfound admiration for Trump.
Stephen Colbert was more forthright, dedicating a segment of The Late Show to criticizing the suspension, with his team posting online: “The Late Show stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his staff.” Jimmy Fallon struck a more personal note, telling his audience: “I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he is a decent, funny, and loving guy. And I hope he comes back.” His monologue also included censored punchlines that underscored the atmosphere of media tension.
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, calling the suspension and accompanying threats “precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent.”
The Tragedy Behind the Debate
At the center of the storm is the killing of Charlie Kirk, a high-profile conservative commentator and organizer, who was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with the crime; prosecutors say he could face the death penalty if convicted.
While the legal case unfolds, the fallout from Kimmel’s remarks has ignited a broader conversation about the boundaries of political criticism, the role of broadcasters, and the protection of free speech in an increasingly polarized media environment.
