David Letterman has expressed strong disapproval of ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the host’s controversial comments about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The veteran 78-year-old host voiced his concerns at the Atlantic Festival in New York, denouncing the suspension as an attack on free expression. Letterman criticized the move, stating that firing someone out of fear or to appease an authoritarian regime is not how things should operate.
Describing the suspension as a “misery” akin to living in a dictatorship, Letterman shared that he had spoken with Kimmel, who he humorously mentioned was recovering in bed. However, he admitted uncertainty about how to address the situation.
The controversy erupted after Kimmel’s monologue where he criticized the response to Kirk’s assassination, prompting ABC to announce the show’s indefinite suspension, which was applauded by Trump.
The suspension received immediate backlash from Hollywood and political figures, with many defending Kimmel’s right to free speech. MSNBC host Chris Hayes labeled it as a direct attack on free speech by state actors.
Reflecting on his own late-night career, Letterman highlighted the importance of comedy and free speech without governmental interference, emphasizing the need to uphold these principles.
Amid the fallout, Letterman suggested that Kimmel’s suspension signifies a troubling shift towards authoritarianism. The article also mentions the tragic details surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death and the legal proceedings against the accused gunman.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has sparked a debate on free speech and the role of media in political discourse, drawing mixed reactions from various celebrities and commentators.