Conan O’Brien Critiques Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
Longtime late-night host Conan O’Brien recently spoke out about the suspension of his colleague Jimmy Kimmel at ABC, raising concerns over the implications for free speech.
In a post on X, O’Brien noted, “The suspension of @jimmykimmel and the expectation that other late-night hosts remain silent about the administration should alarm everyone—whether you’re on the right, left, or somewhere in between.” He went on to state, “It’s wrong, and anyone with a conscience knows it.”
Kimmel’s suspension followed a threat from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Kerr, who urged action against the comedian for his comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s death. Kimmel had made a lighthearted remark about the president being close to Kirk in a context deemed inappropriate.
Following Kimmel’s removal, former President Trump suggested that other NBC late-night hosts, such as Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, could face similar consequences, seemingly endorsing the censorship.
Earlier in July, CBS announced plans to cancel Stephen Colbert’s late-night show when his contract ends in May, which followed Colbert’s controversial remarks about the Trump administration’s dealings with media organizations.
Prominent Democrats and even former President Obama criticized Kimmel’s suspension, perceiving it as an unjust act. Obama remarked, “After years of addressing cancel culture, the current administration seems to have heightened the stakes by threatening media companies if they disapprove of certain content.”
Colbert humorously addressed Kimmel’s situation in a parody on “The Late Show,” featuring a character from Disney who comically instructed staff to remain silent in light of the events surrounding Kimmel.
“In light of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, Walt Disney Corporation, the parent company of ABC, has a little message for all employees,” the character said, humorously advising them to “zip it.”
