Kimmel Defends Free Speech Amid Suspension Controversy

On October 9, 2025, late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel found himself at the center of a controversy over free speech. Two weeks prior, Kimmel had delivered comments on his show about Charlie Kirk's assassin, saying the perpetrator was "one of them" - referring to Kirk's MAGA supporters. This sparked backlash, with FCC chair Brendan Carr even threatening to revoke ABC's affiliate licenses.

Disney executives subsequently suspended Kimmel's show for less than a week, a decision that drew widespread support from Hollywood's creative community. In a recent interview, Kimmel revealed that he had "really good conversations" with Disney leaders like CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden during the suspension. He acknowledged that the situation disrupted their schedules, but said it ultimately helped him understand where everyone was coming from.

Looking to the future of late night TV, Kimmel expressed skepticism about reports that Stephen Colbert's show was losing $40 million per year, saying the actual costs are likely much lower. He believes shows can maintain their format and band while cutting production costs, even if the host's salary and audience size are reduced. Kimmel sees this as a positive, as it allows for more niche programming that caters to specific interests.

Despite the controversy, Kimmel remains committed to defending free speech. He used his first night back on air to lay out his perspective and experience, knowing it wouldn't be perfect but wanting to be honest about what he felt and went through.