Stephen Colbert has come to the defense of his friend and fellow TV host, Jimmy Kimmel, after ABC made the decision to cancel Kimmel’s show indefinitely. The move was prompted by Kimmel’s remarks about activist Charlie Kirk’s passing.
Responding to Donald Trump’s approval of the show’s cancellation, Colbert criticized both the president and ABC for what he called “blatant censorship.” During his late-night talk show, Colbert declared his support for Kimmel and his team, emphasizing the importance of free speech.
While Kimmel accused Republicans of hypocrisy regarding Kirk’s death on a recent ABC episode, the network took a firm stance against his comments. This decision was met with enthusiasm from President Trump, who congratulated ABC and disparaged Kimmel’s talent on Truth Social.
Colbert, along with celebrities like Ben Stiller and John Bishop, condemned the show’s cancellation. However, Piers Morgan took a different stance, questioning the portrayal of Kimmel as a free speech advocate.
In a parallel development, CBS announced the upcoming end of Colbert’s long-running late-night show next year. Colbert gained fame from hosting The Colbert Report before transitioning to The Late Show, succeeding David Letterman.
The conclusion of Colbert’s show in 2026 was confirmed by CBS, praising Colbert and his program’s legacy in the late-night television landscape.