Sen. Ted Cruz Advocates for Anti-Censorship Bill Amid Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

In a recent interview, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed his hope that his anti-censorship bill will gain support from both parties. This comes following Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by Disney, ABC’s parent company, due to comments he made relating to the suspect in the assassination attempt of Charlie Kirk.

“Censorship is wrong, no matter who enforces it,” Cruz stated during the discussion. His criticism became particularly noteworthy last month when he called out Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who had threatened action against Kimmel regarding his comments.

Cruz pointed out that Kimmel has targeted him in the past but still expressed satisfaction regarding Kimmel’s suspension. “I’m not a fan of what he said, but it’s crucial to protect free speech. If the government were to say they would silence media voices, that wouldn’t be a good situation for conservatives,” he remarked.

Cruz also suggested that this moment could be an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation on the issue. He mentioned being open to appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” but commented that Kimmel and other late-night hosts have become repetitive, often focusing too much on former President Donald Trump.

The ratings for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” have steadily declined over the years. The show pulled in an average of 2.4 million viewers in 2015, but has seen numbers drop to just about 1.6 million in 2025, a decline of 37%. Even more significant is the drop in the coveted audience demographic of adults ages 25 to 54, which has plummeted from nearly 1 million viewers to just 261,000 within the same timeframe.

While Kimmel’s show experienced a slight ratings bump after his return from suspension, it still pales in comparison to its earlier numbers. The contrast in Kimmel’s audience interest reflects broader trends in late-night television that may be worth considering.