Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC After Controversial Suspension
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is heading back to television after a weeklong suspension that stirred up major controversy, financial losses, and heated political debates. His show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! , will return to its regular slot on ABC after being pulled off the air last week, a move that not only sparked outrage but also cost Disney, ABC’s parent company, billions in market value.
The suspension happened after Kimmel made pointed remarks about Donald Trump and MAGA supporters in response to the tragic shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Kimmel criticized the way Trump and his allies reacted to Kirk’s death, describing Trump’s statement as immature and politically motivated. Those comments drew swift backlash from conservatives, and by September 17, ABC announced the show would be suspended indefinitely.
Also Read:- Who Will Miss Out on the Winter Fuel Payment This Year?
- Major Traffic Chaos After Truck Incident on Laviolette Bridge
Disney explained the decision by saying it wanted to avoid inflaming tensions during what it described as an “emotional moment for our country.” But the fallout was swift and costly. Viewers started canceling their subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu in protest, using hashtags like #CancelDisney and #CancelABC. Stock prices dropped nearly 2.4 percent, wiping out almost $5 billion in value. Media experts suggested that the financial hit likely played a big role in ABC’s decision to bring Kimmel back.
The suspension didn’t just cause financial damage—it also became a flashpoint for a national debate over free speech. Lawmakers, Hollywood unions, fellow talk-show hosts, and even former President Barack Obama spoke out against the decision to take Kimmel off the air. Many described it as government pressure that clashed with First Amendment protections. Obama went as far as saying that this type of government coercion was exactly what the Constitution was designed to prevent.
Meanwhile, Trump and his supporters celebrated the suspension. On his social media platform, Trump mocked Kimmel’s talent and ratings, calling him a “loser” alongside other late-night hosts. Conservative media groups, like Sinclair Broadcasting, even announced they would not air Kimmel’s show once it returned, choosing instead to run news programming.
But ABC has now reversed course. The network said it held “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel and decided it was time to reinstate the show. Critics, however, argue that the reversal shows Disney caved to outside pressure. Still, some see it as a stand against political interference. Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the FCC board, applauded Disney’s decision, saying it was good to see the company “find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation.”
Kimmel himself has not made a public statement yet, but his show is set to return to its regular 11:35 p.m. ET slot. Whether the controversy fades or reignites once he’s back on the air remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the past week has turned a late-night comedy program into the center of a high-stakes battle over free speech, politics, and billions of dollars in corporate value.
Read More:
0 Comments