ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live Amid FCC Pressure, Late-Night Hosts Decry Censorship

In 2025, ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following pressure from the Trump-appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr over Kimmel's comments on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking widespread condemnation from fellow late-night hosts. Stephen Colbert condemned the move as "blatant censorship," warning against yielding to autocratic pressures, while Jimmy Fallon expressed support for Kimmel and vowed to continue his coverage without censorship. The suspension was seen as part of a broader political leverage exercised by the FCC amid media consolidation, with commentators like Bill Simmons highlighting the use of regulatory approval as a tool to influence programming decisions. Jon Stewart satirically addressed the administration's control over media, and prominent Democrats called for the FCC Chair's resignation, emphasizing concerns over free speech and political intimidation. President Trump defended the suspension, citing Kimmel's comments and show ratings, dismissing the controversy as a matter of free speech. The incident reflects the fractured media landscape in the U.S., where partisan divides and political interventions increasingly shape media content and public discourse.