More than 400 Hollywood celebrities have signed an open letter publicly condemning the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s after he was ‘indefinitely’ taken off the air because of comments about Charlie Kirk.
The late-night talk show host claimed that the ‘MAGA gang’ was trying to gain political points over Kirk’s murder during his monologue.
The 31-year-old right-wing political commentator was fatally shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kimmel said during a broadcast of his show on Wednesday: ‘The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.’ In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.’
He then went on to show a clip of Donald Trump, sarcastically remarking how ‘hard the president is taking this’ who talks about the White House’s ballroom construction after being asked by a reporter about Kirk’s death.
A spokesperson for Disney’s ABC has announced that it will be pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.
The network’s affiliate group, Nexstar, also shared that it ‘strongly objects’ to the talk show host’s comments and ‘will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets’.
Barack Obama called the move ‘dangerous’, as he wrote on X: ‘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.’
The former President added: ‘This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.’
Now it has been revealed that 400 celebrities have signed an open letter to publicly condemn the suspension of Kimmel and the attack on free speech.
Which celebrities have signed the open letter?
Celebrities who signed include Adam Scott, Bryan Cranston, Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep, Jason Bateman Rainn Wilson, Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Selena Gomez, Noah Wyle, Al Yankovic, Katy O’Brian, Tom Hanks, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Michael Shannon, Jonathan Groff, Hank Azaria, Kirsten Dunst, Olivia Rodrigo, Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Regina Hall, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Diego Luna, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zazie Beetz, Natalie Portman, Maya Rudolph, Rooney Mars, Joaquin Phoenix, Martin Short, Alfred Molina and Kerry Washington
Taking to social media, Olivia Rodrigo said today she was ‘so upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power.’
Reposting SAG-AFTRA’s statement about his popular late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! being suspended, she shared her thoughts on the situation,
She said: ‘I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.’
Fellow late-night host John Oliver also shared his thoughts on HBO, saying in his show: ‘A person getting shot is tragic and a person getting shot for their ideas is horrifying, that is true no matter what their ideas are.
‘I also recognise that for many, especially those who were the target of Kirk’s ideas, it has been hard to stay quiet.’
Oliver went on to say that after the fallout ‘it does seem like some are now willing to weaponise Kirk’s death to do things they’ve been wanting to do for years’.
He added that there was a ‘shamelessly flimsy pretext’ to suspend Kimmel and said ‘everyone knew the administration had it in for [him]’.
Writing on X, Ben Stiller previously reposted the news of ABC taking Kimmel off the air and said: ‘This isn’t right.’
Actor Josh Gad, known from Frozen, added: ‘I see we are at the passive participation of authoritarianism now. God help us all.’
Barry star Henry Winkler wrote on X: ‘@jimmykimmel his humor, his insights are important to keep showing us who we are . AND he is a most wonderful fellow’ [sic]
Posting on Instagram, Community and Together star Alison Brie shared: ‘This is unreal. And very scary.’
Community actor Alison Brie shared a news alert on Instagram: ‘This is unreal. And very scary.’
Lost Creator Damon Lindelof has also pledged to not work with Disney until the suspension is lifted.
‘I was shocked, saddened and infuriated by yesterday’s suspension and look forward to it being lifted soon,” the creator behind one of ABC’s biggest shows wrote.
‘If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it. If you’re about to fire up in my comments, just ask yourself if you know the difference between hate speech and a joke. I think you still do.’
Model and actress Christie Brinkley posted a photo of Kimmel and others on her Instagram, adding: ‘I love these guys. The laughter they provide is as important as the air we breathe. We must protect their and our First Amendment rights!’
Comedian Wanda Sykes posted a video saying: ‘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.’
Jamie Lee Curtis, 66, also reposted a photo of Kimmel to her Instagram Story with a quote attributed to the comedian, saying: ‘I don’t think anybody should be canceled. I really don’t.’
This comes after she burst into tears earlier this week discussing the death of Kirk
Following his suspension, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have released statements condemning Kimmel’s suspension.
‘The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms,’ they said.
Kirk’s suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, has since been taken into custody and appeared in court on Tuesday on multiple charges, including aggravated murder.
Kimmel insinuated that Robinson was conservative despite investigators stating that he has far-left ideologies and was in a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate.
Nexstar Media, which is the largest local broadcast and digital media company in the U.S, recently announced plans to acquire rival broadcast company Tegna for $6.2 billion that wouldput Nexstar in 80% of America’s TV-owning households.
The acquisition requires final approval from the Trump-controlled Federal Communications Commission.
This article was originally published on September 18, 2025.
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