U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday welcomed the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel and renewed threats to strip broadcast licenses from media outlets critical of his administration. The move has fueled a deepening national debate over freedom of speech and government overreach.
Kimmel was suspended by ABC, owned by Disney, after a controversial monologue in which he mocked Trump’s response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel accused Trump allies of politicizing Kirk’s death, saying the president promoted his White House ballroom instead of mourning. His remarks sparked backlash from conservatives, with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr warning of an investigation.
Outside Kimmel’s Hollywood studio, about 150 demonstrators gathered Thursday to protest the suspension. Signs read “Don’t Bend a Knee to Trump” and “Resist Fascism,” while some called for boycotts of Disney+.
The suspension has drawn sharp criticism across the entertainment world. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart mocked the administration’s efforts on their shows, while former President Barack Obama called it “a dangerous new level” of government coercion against media companies. Writers’ and actors’ unions, along with the ACLU, labeled the move unconstitutional.
Trump, however, doubled down during his trip to Britain, calling Kimmel “untalented” and insisting broadcasters should face license revocations for “hitting Trump.” “I would think maybe their license should be taken away,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Legal experts note that federal law prohibits the FCC from revoking licenses over unfavorable coverage. Still, the threat has rattled major broadcasters, including Nexstar and Sinclair, who announced they would stop airing Kimmel’s show while merger deals remain pending before the FCC.
Protesters warn the fight is bigger than late-night comedy. “When people can’t make fun of the administration, we’re going down a dark road,” said demonstrator Laura Brenner.
The clash underscores how Kirk’s divisive legacy and Trump’s combative approach to the media have reignited America’s long-running free speech battles.
