On September 18, 2025, ABC suspended “for an indefinite period” the program of the American presenter Jimmy Kimmel after his words about the death of the influential Pro-Trump Charlie Kirk.
This decision has caused a shock wave in the world of American television, which arouses virulent reactions of several late programs, which see it as political censorship and an attack on freedom of expression by the Trump government.
A suspension perceived as political censorship
Stephen Colbert, host of Late show – Who also learned in July that his emblematic program would be canceled by CBS of 2026, strongly criticized ABC’s decision, qualifying Kimmel’s suspension “as a shameless attack against freedom of expression.”
In the introductory monologue of his program, he laughed significantly from Disney, the Matrix of ABC, for having yielded to the pressures of Brendan Carr, president of the FCC, Gendarme of American telecommunications and audiovisuals. The latter, appointed by Donald Trump, threatened to eliminate the ABC channel license in response to the words of Jimmy Kimmel.
“As a source told ABC, they got it all day,” he joked.
Jon Stewart, former host of Daily ShowHe also published a satirical version of his program, entitled “The Daily Show approved by Trump”, to denounce the government’s interference in the media and censorship under the Trump administration.
Referring to Trump’s comment according to which “Kimmel is not a talented person,” the animator joked, indicating that the US president had a special apparatus that allowed measuring when “the kindness of an artist towards him descended below a certain level.”
Control of an “authoritarian criminal administration”
Host Seth Meyers also joked, pretending to want to save his place. Playing Flagornerie, he made sure that “he would always admire and respect Mr. Trump.”
“I always thought he was a visionary, an innovative, a great president and a super golfer. And if you have heard me already said something negative about it, it is only AI,” he added.
Jimmy Fallon has expressed his solidarity to Jimmy Kimmel, emphasizing his character and his professionalism. He also drew in his Tonight show A sketch mocking the censorship of the Trump government. “Many people are worried that we can’t say what you want without being censored,” he said. “I will cover Trump’s trip to the United Kingdom, as he would normally,” he continued, under the applause. “President Trump has completed his 3 -day trip to the United Kingdom,” he begins and “looked absolutely magnificent,” continues a voice that clearly covers his.
David Letterman, former animator of Late showHe regretted the host’s eviction, a decision that according to him is part of a disturbing trend of control of the media of an “authoritarian criminal administration.”
Disney’s boycott calls
According to The Guardian, the case also aroused reactions beyond the world of television. In social networks, political figures, journalists and activists have denounced what they consider political censorship and called the Disney Boicot and Nexstar and Sinclair channels.
If according to the British newspaper, discussions are being made to restore the program in the antenna Jimmy Kimmel Live!This situation highlights the growing tensions between freedom of expression and political pressures exercised in the US media.
Because since his return to power, Donald Trump has multiplied attacks against the press, restricting access to the White House to journalists or with legal procedures that demand astronomical sums. At the beginning of the week, the Republican billionaire announced that the New York Times is looking for defamation, demanding $ 15 billion in damage.
Source: BFM TV
