Jimmy Kimmel told a joke. The FCC made a threat. And ABC folded faster than a cheap card table. That’s the story of Kimmel’s sudden suspension, a move that says less about comedy and more about the dangerous precedent being set for free speech in America.

Here’s the comment that got Jimmy Kimmel pulled:

“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. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

That’s it. That’s what triggered the outrage. Jimmy Kimmel wasn’t celebrating a killing or inciting violence; he was pointing out a grim reality—that politicians and pundits wasted no time exploiting a murder for political gain. The fact that ABC decided those words were too radioactive to stand behind says everything about where we are.

We’ve already seen how this administration treats the press as an enemy of the state. Now they’re treating Charlie Kirk like a martyr. Let’s be clear: political violence is wrong. Nobody should be killed for their speech. But the beauty of this country is that we can have peaceful disagreements over speech. Hate speech crosses a line—and Kirk waded into that territory with his anti-trans rhetoric—but it’s not wrong to point out that so many on the right rushed to blame transgender people for his murder until the fact emerged that the shooter came from a Republican family.

And let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension isn’t an isolated incident—it comes on the heels of Stephen Colbert essentially being shown the door this May. That’s not just two late-night hosts off the air, that’s two of the loudest, most consistent critics of Trump and MAGA suddenly silenced. Losing Colbert under pressure and Kimmel under suspension makes it clear this isn’t about “ratings” or “serving the community.” It’s about clearing the playing field so the racist convicted felon in the Oval Office can claim victory over comedians while shredding democracy in the process.

Instead of backing Jimmy Kimmel’s right to say this, ABC caved after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made his own threats, pledging the network could “do this the easy way or the hard way.” On Hannity, Carr doubled down, claiming late-night hosts had gone from “court jesters” to “court clerics” enforcing a “narrow political ideology,” praising Nexstar and Sinclair for refusing to “serve progressive foie gras from New York and Hollywood.” Yes, apparently satire is fine—so long as it doesn’t upset anyone in power. Also, who knew the First Amendment now comes with a charcuterie board?

For all the “free speech crowd” out there, let’s be honest: you’re either for free speech or you’re against it. You can’t have it both ways. Free speech doesn’t mean freedom from consequences—actions have repercussions. But having Jimmy Kimmel suspended at the behest of a government regulator isn’t a consequence; it’s state-sanctioned intimidation. Meanwhile, the man in the Oval Office bullies his political opponents on a near-daily basis, and somehow that’s just considered politics as usual.

Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy at FIRE, cut through the nonsense:

“The government pressured ABC — and ABC caved… We cannot be a country where late night talk show hosts serve at the pleasure of the president. But until institutions grow a backbone and learn to resist government pressure, that is the country we are.”

And if you need further proof, just look at the racist convicted felon currently shredding American democracy every chance he gets. In a statement that sounds less like a president and more like a playground bully, he crowed:

“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”

This isn’t presidential rhetoric. It’s gloating, vindictive bullying dressed up as governance. Leaders in a democracy don’t celebrate silencing dissent. They don’t weaponize federal agencies against critics. They don’t treat late-night comedy like an existential threat to the republic. But that’s exactly what we’re witnessing — a president behaving like a mob boss, treating broadcasters as his personal enemies list.

ABC didn’t just suspend Jimmy Kimmel. It signaled to every newsroom, every comedian, and every citizen that government pressure works. That if you say something uncomfortable, the regulators will come knocking. And that corporate America is more than willing to throw free speech overboard to avoid rocking the boat.

So congratulations, ABC: you’ve proven that principle is negotiable, talent is expendable, and fear is the best editor of all. But here’s the real punchline: free speech doesn’t come at the pleasure of the president, the FCC, or anyone else. Unless, of course, we keep letting corporations treat the Constitution like foie gras—force-fed until it bursts.

When not suspended indefinitely, Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs every weeknight at 11:35 PM ET on ABC.

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