The Writers Guild of America expressed its backing Wednesday for Jimmy Kimmel and his writing team after TV executives decided to cancel Kimmel’s late-night show due to remarks he made regarding the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk.
On Monday, Kimmel criticized President Trump’s supporters, claiming they were “desperately attempting to portray this individual who killed Charlie Kirk as unrelated to them while trying to capitalize politically on the incident.”
Following Kimmel’s remarks, FCC Chair Brendan Carr hinted at forthcoming actions from his commission. Nexstar, the owner of the network, revealed plans to replace Kimmel’s show on its ABC stations, prompting Disney-owned ABC to indefinitely suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The WGA, which represents more than 20,000 writers in entertainment and media, characterized the punitive actions as an attack on free speech.
“The freedom to express our views and disagree with one another, even provocatively, is central to the essence of being a free society. This freedom must not be compromised by violence, governmental misconduct, or corporate fear,” the union stated on Wednesday.
“We, as a Guild, firmly oppose any efforts to suppress the voices of writers or anyone expressing dissent. Free speech is not limited to agreeable ideas; it is enshrined in the Constitution for all. What we embrace, however challenging, is the liberty to disagree.
“Shame on those in power who neglect this foundational principle. To our employers, our words have graced you with wealth. Silencing us brings poverty to the world at large.”
Last week’s assassination of Kirk, 31, a conservative activist who co-founded Turning Point USA, has sparked renewed debate about political violence in the U.S. and who is responsible.
Trump, who has blamed the political left for inciting violence, rejoiced at Kimmel’s removal from the airwaves. He frequently has lashed out at Kimmel and his major-network colleagues, who have roasted Trump for his policies and personality.
Fallout from Charlie Kirk commentary
Before Kimmel’s remarks this week, other commentators celebrities and noncelebrities alike have faced consequences for remarks they made about Kirk or the circumstances of his death.
MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired shortly after making on-air comments amid the first reports that Kirk had been shot. He apologized and said he wasn’t blaming Kirk for the attack.
Some critics had long characterized Kirk as a divisive figure because of his conservative and religious beliefs, but others, including many Democrats, praised Kirk for being willing to converse with opponents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is said to be eyeing a 2028 White House bid, featured Kirk on the first episode of his podcast earlier this year.
Kimmel, who was seen Wednesday leaving the El Capitan Theatre where his show is taped, did not respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, said it would not air Kimmel’s show, even if ABC decides to bring it back, unless “appropriate steps” were taken. Sinclair called on Kimmel to apologize and said it would air a tribute to Kirk in Kimmel’s time slot Friday, Reuters said.
