Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, voiced strong concerns on Sunday regarding the federal government’s involvement in the withdrawal of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves, calling it “very dangerous” to Americans’ freedom of speech.
During an appearance on “Meet the Press,” NBC’s Kristen Welker inquired about Kimmel’s suspension by ABC and how Shapiro felt about it.
Shapiro expressed fear for the country, highlighting that the foundational principles of the United States, which have deep roots in Pennsylvania dating back to the 1680s, revolve around freedom of expression. He remarked that it was troubling to see these principles being undermined by federal intervention.
Whether one agrees with Kimmel’s humor or not, Shapiro argued, the crux of the issue lies in Kimmel being fired due to the president’s discontent with his jokes. “It’s dangerous,” he noted, “when people are selectively dismissed for their viewpoints.”
In solidarity, Kimmel’s colleagues rallied last week. Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” humorously remarked, “We have another fun, hilarious administration-compliant show,” during a special episode. Similarly, Stephen Colbert of CBS noted, “We’re all Jimmy Kimmel tonight,” at the start of last week’s program.
The discourse intensified following the shooting involving Kirk, sparking a debate about speech rights and the implications for Kimmel’s career. Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) likened the threats made by Carr against ABC to a scene from the classic mob film “Goodfellas,” calling it “dangerous as hell.”
Cruz expressed his disdain for Kimmel, noting how often he had been a target of Kimmel’s humor, yet seemed gleeful about Kimmel’s firing. He cautioned, however, that if ABC failed to act on Kimmel’s remarks, it could lead to the FCC exploring “relief” regarding Carr’s claim about the connection between the murder of Charlie Kirk and the “Maga Gang.”
In contrast, Senator Marco Wayne Marin (R-Okla.) appeared on CNN’s “The State of the Union” and downplayed Cruz’s worries. He stated that ABC executives acted in accordance with their interests, pointing out, “Private companies have the right to make decisions that suit their brand. It’s pretty straightforward.”
Requests for comments were made to Disney and the White House.
