Tech Insider

A composite image of Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, and Barack Obama
President Donald Trump cheered Jimmy Kimmel's suspension while Democrats like former President Barack Obama are aghast.
  • Obama criticized the Trump administration in his response to ABC's decision to take Jimmy Kimmel's show off the air.
  • The former president said the Trump administration had taken "cancel culture" to "a new and dangerous level."
  • Politicians have largely split along party lines in their response to Kimmel's suspension.

Former President Barack Obama responded to ABC's decision to indefinitely take Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show off the air and warned of "government coercion."

"After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn't like," Obama said in a post on X.

"This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it," he said in a response.

Washington has largely split along party lines in the wake of ABC's shocking suspension of the late-night host on Wednesday following Kimmel's comments on the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

President Donald Trump and his allies have praised the network's decision to "indefinitely" suspend Kimmel after Carr, a Trump appointee, pressured Disney before local TV stations revolted, and ultimately, ABC took action.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. "These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."

In contrast, Democrats are aghast, saying that Kimmel's suspension is an affront to the First Amendment. Like Hollywood, many in the party are rallying around the host.

On Thursday, Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a lengthy letter to Carr, calling his actions "corrupt political intimidation," and asking for the FCC to turn over all internal communication and documents related to ABC and Sinclair, the affiliated TV station operator, starting from January 20.

"The Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) apparent weaponization of its federal regulatory authority and ABC's preemption of programming that may be critical of President Trump represents a dangerous escalation in attacks on press freedom and protected speech," the Committee wrote in the five-page letter signed by Rep. Robert Garcia.

President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump smiles
President Donald Trump

Trump celebrated the suspension of Kimmel's show shortly after the news broke — and he called on NBC to do the same with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.

"Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that's possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT."

At a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday morning, Trump doubled down.

"You can call that free speech or not," Trump said. "He was fired for lack of talent."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, managed to hold onto a narrow majority in the upper chamber.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Kimmel's suspension "outrageous."

"It's a page right out of Xi's playbook. This is just despicable, disgusting, and against democratic values," Schumer said in an appearance on CNN on Wednesday night. "Trump and his allies seem to want to shut down speech that they don't like to hear. That is not what democracies do. That is what autocracies do."

Vice President JD Vance
JD Vance

Vice President JD Vance has not yet directly weighed in on Kimmel's suspension, but on Thursday morning, he made a joke about it.

"Everyone please congratulate @marcorubio, the new host of ABC's late night show," Vance wrote on X.

Marco Rubio holds several jobs in the Trump administration, including Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Acting Archivist of the United States.

He's been the subject of several jokes about holding multiple jobs, and has occasionally made light of it himself.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and top Democrats
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and top Democrats in the House released a joint statement.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic leadership released a joint statement condemning ABC's move and calling on FCC Chair Brendan Carr to resign for engaging "in the corrupt abuse of power."

"He has disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration," the group of lawmakers said.

The lawmakers also signalled that they could use subpoena power to investigate the incident the next time they're in the majority.

"Media companies, such as the one that suspended Mr. Kimmel, have a lot to explain," the lawmakers continued. "The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice. It may also be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme. House Democrats will make sure the American people learn the truth, even if that requires the relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power. This will not be forgotten."

The statement was co-signed by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu, Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, and Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of House Democrats' campaign arm.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas
Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a press conference on border security at the US Capitol Building on September 27, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said Carr is "a great guy," but the way he pressured Disney "is dangerous as hell."

"He says, 'We can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way,'" Cruz said during an episode of his podcast "Verdict" that was released on September 19. "And I got to say, that's right out of 'Goodfellas.' That's right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, 'Nice bar you have here, it'd be a shame if something happened to it."

Cruz is not a fan of Kimmel, whom he once defeated in a charity basketball game. The former GOP presidential hopeful said he's worried about Carr's actions could backfire on conservatives if Democrats retake the White House.

"They will silence us, they will use this power, and they will use it ruthlessly."

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California
Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, is spearheading an investigation into the FCC, ABC, and Sinclair over the incident.

On September 18, Garcia signed a letter requesting the FCC turn over all internal communication and documents related to ABC and Sinclair, starting from Trump's inauguration day. The deadline to turn over these documents is October 2.

"Every American has a duty to stand up for our First Amendment values," Garcia said. "We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats. Anyone who is complicit will need to answer to us."

"We stand ready to work with any media organization willing to resist any attempts of unlawful coercion of editorial decisions and expose any abuse of federal authority to suppress constitutionally protected speech," wrote Garcia in the letter.

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah praised Carr in the wake of Kimmel's suspension.

"Sic semper tyrannis," Lee wrote. "Great work by @BrendanCarrFCC."

He added a hashtag: #BuhByeJimmyKimmel.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, accused the Republican Party of engaging in censorship after Kimmel's suspension.

"Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows," Newsom wrote. "These aren't coincidences. It's coordinated. And it's dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time."

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana indicated that he was supportive of Kimmel's suspension.

"The liberal media is finally catching up to where the rest of the country is," Cassidy wrote on X. "We love Charlie Kirk. We don't like dishonest brokers."

Cassidy has a history with Kimmel, dating back to when Republicans unsuccessfully tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, during Trump's first term.

Kimmel invited Cassidy onto his show in May 2017, where Cassidy pledged to develop legislation to ensure that families had access to affordable healthcare. Kimmel later attacked Cassidy's bill, which led to a simmering feud.

Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska
Rep. Don Bacon

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a moderate Republican, said he was uncomfortable with Kimmel's suspension in an appearance on C-SPAN Washington Journal on Thursday morning.

"I think it would have been better just to shame him," Bacon said. "People have a right to listen to what they want. If they don't like it, don't listen to it. I get a little worried about this cancel culture that we have."

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut went directly after Carr after the FCC chair praised Nexstar for pulling Kimmel off the air, which preceded ABC's decision.

"This is a massive, history making abuse of your power," Murphy wrote on X. "It will define your legacy and one day you will come to regret punishing free speech and trying to destroy democracy."

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich

Taylor Budowich, the White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, cheered on Kimmel's suspension.

"Welcome to Consequence Culture," Budowich wrote. "Normal, common sense Americans are no longer taking the bullshit and companies like ABC are finally willing to do the right and reasonable thing. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts suggested that the FCC played a key role in Kimmel's suspension — and that media companies are to blame as well.

"Last-minute settlements, secret side deals, multi-billion dollar mergers pending Donald Trump's approval," Warren wrote on X. "Trump silencing free speech stifles our democracy. It sure looks like giant media companies are enabling his authoritarianism."

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California
Eric Swalwell
Representative Eric Swalwell of California.

Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic, said that if Democrats retake the House, they will investigate matters like this.

"There's going to be a Democratic majority in just over a year," Swalwell said during a hearing on Thursday. "And to the FCC chairperson and anyone involved in these dirty deals, get a lawyer and save your records, because you're going to be in this room."

Republican Sen. Rand Paul
Sen. Rand Paul in May 2025.

During an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Sen. Rand Paul called Carr's remarks suggesting that the FCC would take action against Disney-owned ABC "absolutely inappropriate."

"Brendan Carr's got no business weighing in on this, but people have to also realize that despicable comments, you have the right to say them, but you don't have the right to employment," he said. "Virtually everybody employed, probably including yourself, has a code of conduct in your contract that you have to adhere to."

Paul said networks are entitled to pull content they don't agree with.

"The FCC should have nothing to do with it, but I do think a couple of networks pulled out. Sinclair pulled out — they were disgusted by the comments. That's their right."

He added, "But the government's got no business in it and the FCC was wrong to weigh in."

Read the original article on Business Insider