Stephen Colbert has launched a fierce defence of Jimmy Kimmel after ABC abruptly suspended his late-night present, accusing President Donald Trump of pushing “blatant censorship”.Opening Thursday’s version of The Late Present, Colbert declared to a surprised New York viewers: “Tonight we’re all Jimmy Kimmel.” He went on: “Yesterday after threats from Trump’s FCC chair, ABC yanked Kimmel off the air indefinitely. That’s blatant censorship.”The CBS host, who himself is getting ready to wrap up his tenure subsequent 12 months, accused Trump of behaving like a strongman. “With an autocrat, you can not give an inch,” Colbert mentioned. Earlier than the taping, he added: “I’ll say this for my community. They wouldn’t have achieved this. Now no matter what you suppose, that has already been achieved and the way that appears, that is weak. That is blatant censorship.”
ABC’s shock transfer sparks political storm
Kimmel, 57, was suspended on Wednesday after he claimed throughout a monologue that Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer was “MAGA” — remarks that drew swift backlash from Trump allies and conservative broadcasters. Nexstar and Sinclair mentioned they might cease airing his programme, whereas Trump-appointed FCC chair Brendan Carr branded Kimmel’s phrases “really sick” and warned of repercussions for Disney-owned ABC.Trump celebrated the choice, posting on Fact Social: “Nice Information for America: The scores challenged Jimmy Kimmel Present is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for lastly having the braveness to do what needed to be achieved.” He dismissed Kimmel as having “ZERO expertise” and known as different late-night hosts “losers” with “horrible scores”.However critics have accused the administration of silencing dissent. Barack Obama warned: “The present administration has taken it to a brand new and harmful stage by routinely threatening regulatory motion towards media corporations except they muzzle or fireplace reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.”Comic Wanda Sykes wrote: “He didn’t finish the Ukraine battle or remedy Gaza inside his first week. However he did finish freedom of speech inside his first 12 months.”
Broad condemnation
David Letterman known as the transfer “managed media” and “ridiculous,” whereas actor Jean Good described Kimmel’s remarks as “FREE speech, not hate speech”. Democrat Senator Adam Schiff accused Trump of mounting “probably the most blatant assaults on the free press in American historical past”.In the meantime, conservative voices like podcaster Megyn Kelly defended ABC’s determination, arguing Kimmel had smeared Trump supporters with a “vile disgusting lie.”
