Whereas some conservative figures supported ABC’s choice to droop Jimmy Kimmel Dwell! following Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks in regards to the suspect accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk—the transfer rapidly drew backlash from the leisure world. Fellow late-night hosts and superstar associates condemned the community’s option to sideline Kimmel, calling it a blow to free expression in comedy. Now, after greater than every week off the air, the late-night comic has returned to ABC, utilizing his comeback monologue to straight deal with the controversy.
Beneath, Hollywood Life has compiled how fellow late-night comedians and celebrities reacted to Kimmel’s suspension.
Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan on a podcast episode on September 23 mentioned, “I positively don’t assume that the federal government ought to be concerned, ever, in dictating what a comic can or can not say in a monologue.”
“The issue is the businesses, if they’re being pressured by the federal government – so if that’s actual – and if individuals on the suitable are like ‘yeah, go get ’em,’ oh my God, you’re loopy. You’re loopy for supporting this as a result of this can be used on you,” he added.
Invoice Maher
Calling Kimmel his “compatriot,” Maher disagreed with the ABC comic’s “MAGA crowd remark” however defended his proper to free speech.
“Effectively, I suppose you all heard Jimmy Kimmel, my pal, my compatriot,” Maher started. “He’s been canned by ABC for feedback he made about Charlie Kirk’s murderer. … Jimmy, pal, I’m with you, I assist you, and on the intense facet, you don’t should faux anymore that you simply like Disneyland. That was at all times a terrific a part of it for me once I received my ass canned over there.”
Jimmy Fallon
“The large story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after stress from the FCC, leaving everybody considering, ‘WTF?’” Jimmy Fallon joked firstly of his monologue, earlier than taking a extra critical flip. “To be sincere with you all, I don’t know what’s happening, and nobody does. However I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a good, humorous and loving man, and I hope he comes again.”
Fallon then included a “Massive Brother”-esque voice to censor something he mentioned in opposition to Donald Trump.
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert, whose present was canceled by CBS in July 2025, didn’t maintain again from condemning ABC throughout his monologue.
“Welcome, every body, to The Late Present. I’m your host Stephen Colbert, however tonight, we’re all Jimmy Kimmel,” Colbert started, calling out ABC for “blatant censorship …. with an autocrat, you can not give an inch, and if ABC thinks that is going to fulfill the regime, they’re woefully naive.”
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart made a shock Thursday night look on The Each day Present to poke enjoyable on the concern of censorship.
“We have now one other enjoyable, hilarious, Administration-compliant present!” Jon mentioned whereas pretending to be frightened. His hyperbolized compliments about Trump included calling the latter “father,” for instance.
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes, who was purported to be Kimmel’s visitor earlier than the present received suspended, took to social media to share her response.
“I used to be purported to go over and have a chat with my pal Jimmy Kimmel on his present, however as you’ve gotten heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel present has been pulled indefinitely, abruptly, due to complaints from the Trump administration,” Sykes mentioned in an Instagram video. “So, let’s see, he didn’t finish the Ukraine struggle or remedy Gaza inside his first week however he did finish freedom of speech inside his first yr. Hey, for these of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
