The American right succumbs to cancel culture

This column was originally meant to explore whether the political right — like the political left — has a penchant for cancel culture. But that is no longer in question. The right does have a cancel culture problem.

This was crystallized with the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s eponymous late-night talk show over his commentary on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. His monologue was caustic, contained false statements (the killer was not, as Kimmel suggested, “MAGA”) and wasn’t entertaining (isn’t he supposed to be funny?).

Worse, it came at a point in the culture war when we should strongly consider mixing salves rather than deepening our profound wounds. None of Kimmel’s speech, however, was illegal.

U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated Kimmel’s cancellation, calling it “great news f