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Stephen Colbert speaks out about censorship after Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments
Home>Celebrity>News
Updated 13:34 19 Sep 2025 GMT+1Published 13:31 19 Sep 2025 GMT+1

Stephen Colbert speaks out about censorship after Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments

Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been 'pre-empted indefinitely'

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

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Featured Image Credit: CBS

Topics: Jimmy Kimmel, Donald Trump, News, Film and TV, Celebrity

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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Stephen Colbert has expressed concerns about censorship in the US after Jimmy Kimmel was suspended for his remarks about Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended 'indefinitely' after the talk show host suggested that 'many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk'.

The show has been running since 2003 but the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! is very much unclear in the wake of the comic's suspension.

Trump went on to react to the news and even suggested that the likes of Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have their respective talk shows canceled as well.

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Elsewhere, the president has threatened that networks that air people's negative comments about him may have their licenses revoked.

Donald Trump wants some networks' licenses revoked (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Donald Trump wants some networks' licenses revoked (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

"I have read someplace that the networks were 97 percent against me, again, 97 percent negative, and yet I won and easily, all seven swing states [in last year’s election]," he told reporters at Air Force One.

Trump went on to warn: "They give me only bad publicity, press. I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away."

There are now fears that Trump is trying to stop people's freedom of speech.

One person to note this is Stephen Colbert. Speaking to the audience at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night (September 18), he said: "Tonight we are all Jimmy Kimmel."

He went on: "Yesterday after threats from Trump’s FCC [Federal Communications Commission] chair, ABC yanked Kimmel off the air indefinitely. That is blatant censorship."

Others have echoed similar sentiments online.

"America is turning into North Korea," somebody suggested. "This is government censorship. I thought Republicans cared about freedom and cared about the First Amendment. Apparently they just care about worshipping Trump."

Another wrote: "What’s the difference between this & what happens in China?"

A third fumed: "Anyone who disagrees with him gets censored.. what the actual f**k."

A different person tweeted: "Starts talking about free speech under threat in the UK… and then tries to stop free speech in the US. Make it make sense."

Stephen Colbert said taking Jimmy Kimmel off air is 'censorship' (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Stephen Colbert said taking Jimmy Kimmel off air is 'censorship' (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

But some have argued that journalism should be unbiased.

One person said: "[Trump] is not far from the truth. If you must be a certified news channel, you should always be unbiased with your stories. Don't just say only bad things about people."

A second added: "Yup. Agreed. Biased indoctrination, fake news. Should be illegal."

What are your thoughts on the matter?

UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.

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