ACLU, Trump, and FCC Reactions to ABC’s Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel
Among the more than 400 artists who signed the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) letter are Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Ben Affleck, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The purpose was to call out “government threats to our freedom of speech” following the aftermath of ABC/Disney’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel.
ACLU’s Open Letter Against Silencing Free Speech
According to Deadline, the letter states that “Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists, and companies with retaliation for their speech strike at the heart of what it means to live in a free country. Last week, Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air after the government threatened a private company with retaliation, marking a dark moment for freedom of speech in the United States. In an attempt to silence its critics, our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board. This runs counter to the values our nation was built upon, and our Constitution guarantees.”
The Solidarity of Americans
The letter does not mention Donald Trump or his FCC chair, Brendan Carr, but they are cited in the introductory section of a website. The letter says, “We know this moment is bigger than us and our industry. Teachers, government employees, law firms, researchers, universities, students and so many more are also facing direct attacks on their freedom of expression. Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country,” the letter states. “We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power – because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.” Other signatories in the letter include Selena Gomez, Kerry Washington, Jason Bateman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana DeBose, Jane Fonda, Jim Parsons, Joaquin Phoenix, Frances McDormand, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Regina King, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jean Smart, Noah Wyle, Diego Luna, Natalie Portman, Olivia Rodrigo, Martin Short, and Ramy Youssef.
Trump Blasts ABC For Bringing Back Kimmel’s Show
Following Kimmel’s suspension, The New Yorker reported the President’s reaction as being “cheerful and emboldened” as he told reporters on Air Force One how, together with the FCC, he could go after licenses of broadcasting outlets he deemed highly critical. People noted Trump’s criticism of ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel, writing on Truth Social, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE. He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad ratings.”
FCC Chair, Sinclair, and Nexstar.
According to Reuters, Carr, who told broadcasters “We can do this the easy way or the hard way” over Kimmel’s show, defended his comments by saying the FCC was maintaining the standard of public interest. Carr later said his remarks had been misrepresented, but praised the broadcasters for preempting the show. “Maybe now there is a permission structure here where they feel like they or other groups or global stations can push back. You’ve got to shift the power,” Carr said.
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group on Friday ended their preemptions of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Across 70 ABC-affiliated stations, days after ABC reinstated the show. The stations together cover almost one-quarter of U.S. households.
400 Celebrities Sign Letter in Support of Jimmy Kimmel (2025) Official US Weekly Video
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Precious Osagie
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.