Comedian Jimmy Kimmel was suspended from Disney, removing the ABC Late Show host from the air. He returned to the air on September 23. The show was originally pulled due to Kimmel’s comments concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the conservative political movement MAGA.
“The MAGA gang are desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and are doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
Before Tyler James Robinson was identified as a suspect in Kirk’s assassination, Trump and other conservatives advocated retribution against the American Left., Iincluding efforts to pressuringe employers to fire or discipline employees critical of Kirk and his political views
The Facts: Kirk was shot by 22-year old Tyler Robinson. Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a family member, told investigators that Robinson had become “more political.”
His political affiliation is largely up to debate, but he was raised in a right-wing family. Authorities claim that in the following months before the shooting, he becamehad become more left leaning. Robinson’s mother claimed that he had become more pro-gay and pro-trans. His current roommate was currently transitioning to a woman, and there was evidence the two were dating.
The manhunt for Robinson lasted 33 hours. Before Robinson handed himself in, the FBI worked with Robinson’s father saw footage of the suspected killer on the news and thought it looked like his son. This led his family to assist authorities in the capture of Robinson.
What the Right is saying: Kimmel’s apology was insecure and mocked the death of Charlie Kirk. His monologue was not political protest, but poor taste commentary on Kirk’s murder. “puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.” Said President Trump on True Social.
What the Left is Saying: This cancellation is a continuation of the attack on free speech by the Right. Journalism is under attack, and so is free speech in the media. Jimmy Kimmel is no different.
In March 2024, Trump sued ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos over questions about E. Jean Carroll, whom juries found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming. ABC settled for 15 million.
My take: Maga is a self-proclaimed champion against cancel culture, who only supports its own form of free speech. In the last election, the two candidates spent their time in different ways. One candidate spent the time trying to separate from the worst of her party, and lost. The other candidate leaned into the most extreme corners of their party and won.
Once Donald Trump entered office, a crackdown on free speech occurred in red States. In Flordia for example, Ron Desantes
Figures like Trump are quick to make a Martyr out of Kirk. reveals how his death is used less for mourning and more to fuel the MAGA movement. The irony of Cancelling Kimmel speaks to MAGA’s hypocrisy.
However, the comedian’s comments were also ill-informed. Regardless of the political implications, Kirk’s death was a wrong and brutal act. The assassination is being used to fuel both political parties. In the meantime, the larger questions like gun violence and political turmoil remain unanswered.