Former President Donald Trump stated that Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show was removed from the air due to "bad ratings." Kimmel's program, which has aired on ABC since 2003, was suspended indefinitely after he made controversial remarks regarding the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kimmel criticized Trump's response to Kirk's death, saying, "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish." Kirk was shot at a speaking event in Utah earlier this month.

Following Kimmel's comments, several ABC affiliates decided to stop airing the show. ABC later announced the indefinite suspension, prompting accusations from Democrats and Hollywood figures that the move was an attack on free speech. Trump, speaking during a visit to the UK, dismissed the backlash, asserting, "He said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person; he had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago."

The suspension of Kimmel's show has sparked significant reactions from various political leaders. A joint statement from prominent Democrats accused the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of "bullying" ABC and called the action a "corrupt abuse of power." Brendan Carr, the FCC chair appointed by Trump, had previously urged local broadcasters to stop airing Kimmel's show, which he described as offensive and insensitive.

Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama, expressed concern over the implications for free speech. Obama stated, "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."

The Writers Guild of America also condemned the suspension, arguing that it undermines constitutionally protected free speech rights. They stated, "What we have signed on to — painful as it may be at times — is the freeing agreement to disagree. Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth."

Kimmel's comments and the subsequent suspension have raised questions about the state of late-night television and the influence of political pressure on media content. The show's average viewership this season was reported at 1.57 million, with nearly 21 million subscribers on its YouTube channel.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the landscape of late-night television and the broader discourse on free speech in America.