Kimmel suspended, Trump takes victory lap

In the wake of the shock announcement that Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show would be shut down, Donald Trump rushed to Truth Social to rave about the news.

Trump sees Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation not as a consequence of his attacks on Charlie Kirk, but as a personal victory to silence an opponent, which he staged in a veritable victory lap on Truth Social.

“Great news for America,” Donald Trump opened his message.

Colbert led the way before Kimmel

Trump follows this up by asserting that “Kimmel has NO talent, and worse ratings than Colbert, if that’s possible,” a dig thrown in reference to the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s talk show a few weeks earlier, which he had already celebrated on Truth Social.

“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”

Jimmy Kimmel saw his show Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended indefinitely by ABC on September 17. This decision follows controversial remarks he made during his monologues about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In particular, he had accused certain members of the MAGA movement of profiting politically from the murder.

Media under pressure

According to various media sources, ABC found itself under pressure, with several of its affiliates, including Nexstar, refusing to program the show, deeming the statements “offensive and insensitive”. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr also threatened the network with sanctions if it failed to act.

“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s Broadcasting division.

Its next targets

In addition to rejoicing over the news on Truth Social, Trump named Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon as his next targets, showing that Kimmel’s comments deemed offensive were not the real reason for the cancellation.

“That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” wrote Trump, demanding that these hosts suffer the same fate as Colbert and Kimmel.

Numerous personalities have expressed their outrage at ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Dangerous for freedom of expression

Former President Barack Obama has denounced a worrying drift:

“This kind of government coercion is exactly what the First Amendment was designed to prevent.”

Actor Ben Stiller reacted sharply:

“It’s unfair and dangerous for our free speech.”

Actress Sophia Bush added on X:

“Free speech is under threat.”

Finally, Rosie O’Donnell, whose war with the former president is well documented, expressed her indignation:

“This is censorship.”

The SAG-AFTRA (actors’ union) issued a statement:

“Punishing an artist for his opinions is incompatible with a free democracy.”