Introduction to the Controversy
The Walt Disney Company, owner of ABC, has reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! after suspending the late-night show due to controversy surrounding host Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision to suspend production was made to avoid further igniting emotions in the country, as some comments were deemed insensitive.
The Suspension and Its Aftermath
The late-night talk show was initially removed from ABC "for an indefinite time" after Kimmel commented on the consequences of Charlie Kirk’s killing. This move sparked a chaotic week, focusing on the concept of freedom of speech. Hundreds of entertainment figures, including Tom Hanks and Jamie Lee Curtis, signed an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), protesting against the decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Reaction from the Entertainment Industry
The open letter, signed by hundreds of individuals, including Ben Stiller, Pedro Pascal, and Jennifer Aniston, criticized the government’s threat to a private company with retaliation, marking a dark moment for freedom of speech in the nation. The letter emphasized that efforts to silence critics through retaliation attacks on journalists, talk show hosts, artists, and entertainers undermine the values upon which the nation was built and the constitution guarantees.
The Role of the ACLU
The ACLU’s letter highlighted that the moment is larger than the entertainment industry, as teachers, government employees, law firms, researchers, universities, and students are also exposed to direct attacks on their freedom of expression. The organization encouraged all Americans to join them in defending and preserving constitutionally protected rights.
The Decision to Reinstate the Show
On Tuesday, September 23, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return to the air, ending a chaotic week that focused on the concept of freedom of speech. The move came after the Sinclair Broadcast Group stated that almost 40 ABC affiliates would continue to air or program Kimmel’s show from Tuesday, despite initial plans to prevent or replace it.
Background on the Controversy
The controversy began when Kimmel told his audience on September 16, "Over the weekend, we met some new deep stalls with the Maga [Make America Great Again] gang trying desperately to characterize this child, which Charlie Kirk murdered, as anything but one of them, and to do everything to make political points out of it." The comments led to a suspension by ABC, as TV station groups Nexstar Media and Sinclair removed the program after being criticized by a podcast by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) member Brendan Carr.
Disney’s Involvement and Previous Incidents
Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, and Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment and Television Head Dana Walden, were involved in the decision to suspend the program due to employee safety concerns and threats. The move led to calls to boycott Disney+ and sparked anger from Republican Party figures, including Senator Ted Cruz. In a separate incident, ABC paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump’s presidential library in December 2024. Trump also submitted a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the outlet of being a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.
