How Hollywood Is Rallying Behind Jimmy Kimmel As His Show Goes Off Air

Social media went berserk after Jimmy Kimmel’s show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was taken off the air by the television network ABC. Several Hollywood celebrities rallied behind the host, showing their support. Additionally, they discussed the threat to freedom of speech in several posts.

Joe Flint, entertainment reporter for The Wall Street Journal, took to X and posted, “BREAKING: Disney’s ABC is pulling Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely after the late-night host’s recent remarks about Charlie Kirk. The move comes as ABC affiliate groups told the network they would be dropping the host.”

BREAKNG: Disney's ABC is pulling Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely after late night host's recent remarks about Charlie Kirk. Move comes as ABC affiliate groups told network they

would be dropping the host.

— Joe Flint (@JBFlint) September 17, 2025

It was after Jimmy Kimmel, who has never minced his words when expressing his feelings for Donald Trump, commented on Charlie Kirk’s death. The Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, criticised Kimmel’s comments, leading to ABC announcing a major update about the show without providing any specific explanation.

Hollywood Celebrities Reacting To Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Getting Pulled Off The Air

Reacting to it, actor Ben Stiller reposted Flint’s post on X, and wrote, “This isn’t right.”

This isn’t right. https://t.co/mVJ8308w1k

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) September 17, 2025

Commentator Chris Hayes mentioned, “This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life, and it’s not even close.”

This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I've ever seen in my life and it's not even close. https://t.co/uMjEZkIpat

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 17, 2025

Comedian Alex Edelman tweeted, “This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much.”

This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much. https://t.co/qjdFlegOE1

— Alex Edelman (@AlexEdelman) September 17, 2025

Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes shared a video on Instagram, expressing her frustration over the issue.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WS (@iamwandasykes)

Actor Jean Smart posted a picture with Kimmel on Instagram and penned, “I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk, his shooting death sickened me and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”

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A post shared by Jean Smart (@realjeansmart)

What Did Jimmy Kimmel Comment On Charlie Kirk’s Untimely Demise?

During his show, Kimmel addressed Charlie Kirk’s death and condemned its nature by saying, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” adding, “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving. On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism. But on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this. My condolences on the loss of your friend, Charlie Kirk. May I ask, sir, personally, how are you holding up over the last day and a half, sir? I think very good.”

He continued, “And by the way, right there, you see all the trucks? They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get, as you know, for about 150 years. And it’s going to be a beauty. Yes. He’s at the fourth stage of grief, construction. Demolition. Construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, okay?”

incase you’re wondering

this is why

pic.twitter.com/oslh2oGrnG

— Sharry (@sharry_gold) September 17, 2025

Kimmel’s show went off air only a few months after Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show was cancelled, and Donald Trump predicted that Jimmy Kimmel might be the next.