As comedian Jimmy Kimmel remains off the air after being suspended by Disney from his ABC late-night show, a host of other celebrities and entertainers have spoken out in defense of Kimmel and of freedom of expression, including 400 artists who signed an ACLU letter.
Amid disturbing displays of pressure by the Trump administration against public figures critical of President Donald Trump, political figures, including former President Barack Obama, have weighed in on the controversy and its free speech implications, while some Disney-affiliated stars have called for boycotts against the company’s properties.
400 artists, including Regina King, Daveed Diggs, Kerry Washington, Uzo Aduba and Tessa Thompson signed a letter from ACLU that protests the decision.
Comedians, political leaders respond to Kimmel suspension, threats to free speech
Wanda Sykes, who had been scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show the evening it was suspended, posted a video response online criticizing Trump. “Let’s see, he didn’t end the Ukraine War or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Marlon Wayans, appearing on the red carpet for his new movie HIM, responded to a question about the Kimmel situation. “This is America,” Wayans said. “What we’re seeing is not something that me, myself, as a Black man, hasn’t seen before. I just think it’s a shame, and I think every last single American loses because of this.” He also said that artists “have to be courageous” in these circumstances.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver called out business executives of companies like Disney for giving into pressure to censor critical content. “History is also going to remember the cowards who definitely knew better but still let things happen.”
Prominent political figures have also weighed in on the Kimmel suspension, which came after Trump-appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to take action against the network if it didn’t discipline Kimmel for remarks critical of the MAGA movement’s reaction to Kirk’s death. Obama posted, “After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted, “The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Stars of Disney-produced content speak out for freedom of speech
In what appears to be another aspect of the fallout over Kimmel’s suspension, the premiere of a documentary on the Lilith Fair music festival underwent last-minute changes. Sarah McLaughlin, who created the woman-centric music festival in the 1990s, spoke at the premiere event for Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, which was produced by ABC News Studios, owned by Disney. “I know you’re expecting a performance tonight, and I’m so grateful to all of you for coming, and I apologize if this is disappointing,” McLachlan said at the end of her remarks; the event’s organizers had released a last-minute statement indicating that planned musical performances would not happen at the event. Even though she didn’t mention Kimmel by name, McLachlan said, “We have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech.” Sources indicated that McLachlan, Jewel and Olivia Rodrigo, all of whom appear in the documentary, were artists who planned to perform at the Disney event.
Meanwhile, Several actors who play roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is also owned by Disney, have spoken out in support of Kimmel. During a No Kings online event, Hulk star Mark Ruffalo said, “My industry doesn’t really understand what’s happening right now, but what they do understand is our freedom of speech is being attacked.” Pedro Pascal, who played Mister Fantastic in this year’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Disney and Marvel, posted messages on Instagram reading “standing with you Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as well as “defend free speech” and “defend democracy,” alongside a photo of himself with Kimmel. Tatiana Maslany, the star of the Marvel series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney, took to Instagram to call on fans to “cancel your @disneyplus @hulu @espn subscriptions!” Marisa Tomei, who starred as Aunt May in the Spider-Man franchise, similarly reposted a call on fans to “unsubscribe and boycott” Disney-owned platforms.
From politicians and actors defending free speech to Disney-affiliated entertainers acting in protest against the company, the fallout over Kimmel’s suspension continues as the comedian remains off the air. With the Trump administration already indicating that it may continue to go after critical celebrities and the media companies for which they work, a fight over free speech appears to be growing.
