U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel and suggested that television networks should lose their licenses over negative coverage of his administration, intensifying a national debate over free speech.
Kimmel’s monologue on Monday drew conservative ire after he criticized the reaction of Trump allies to the recent assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot while speaking at a Utah university on September 10. Since the incident, some Trump and Kirk supporters have warned the public to “properly mourn” the controversial figure or face unspecified consequences.
ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company, announced Wednesday that it would suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely in response to the backlash. The move sparked condemnation from writers, performers, former President Barack Obama, and others, who described it as yielding to unconstitutional government pressure.
On Thursday, around 150 protesters gathered outside the Hollywood studio where Kimmel’s show is filmed. Demonstrators held signs reading “Don’t Bend a Knee to Trump,” “Resist fascism,” “Douse the mouse,” and “Cancel Disney+.”
Late-night hosts responded to Kimmel’s suspension with satire. Stephen Colbert opened The Late Show with a parody of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, replacing the chorus with “shut your trap,” and expressed full support for Kimmel and his team. Jon Stewart, on Comedy Central, mocked the situation by introducing himself as the “patriotically obedient host” of the “new, government-approved Daily Show,” jokingly praising Trump as a “sun god” during his state visit to the U.K.
During the visit, Trump called Kimmel “untalented” and criticized him for making disparaging remarks about Kirk. Kimmel, known for lampooning the former president, said in his monologue that allies of Kirk were exploiting the assassination to “score political points,” and mocked Trump for turning a question about mourning into a promotion of the White House ballroom.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly targeted media outlets and individuals for unflattering coverage, at times threatening to revoke broadcast licenses—powers regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Kimmel’s suspension followed threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr to investigate his commentary, and local station owners reportedly stopped airing the show.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “All they do is hit Trump. I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr.” Federal law, however, prohibits the FCC from revoking licenses for negative coverage or content the government dislikes.
Kimmel’s case highlights a broader controversy over free speech, with Democrats accusing Trump of attacking First Amendment rights, while Republicans argue they are combating hate speech and accuse some Kirk critics of trying to justify his murder.
