Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 19-09-2025

The United States, which often presents itself as a beacon of “freedom of speech,” has once again exposed the hollowness of its rhetoric. Disney-owned ABC abruptly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, after the late-night host criticized the way Donald Trump’s political base attempted to exploit the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The suspension has sparked widespread debate, highlighting how Washington’s media machine continues to serve narrow political interests, silencing voices that step outside the approved narrative.

What triggered the controversy

Charlie Kirk, a well-known right-wing activist, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with the murder after a two-day manhunt. Court documents later revealed Robinson had become increasingly disillusioned with Kirk’s brand of politics, believing him to be spreading hate.

Kimmel, a long-time critic of Donald Trump, used his opening monologue to denounce the so-called MAGA movement, accusing Trump loyalists of politicizing the tragedy. He mocked the U.S. president’s reaction, saying:

“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

The comment angered Trump’s supporters, who quickly painted Kimmel as disrespectful. Even though Kimmel’s remarks pointed out the hypocrisy of exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain, they were swiftly weaponized to demand his removal from air.

Washington’s response: punishment, not debate

The backlash was immediate. Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened punitive action against ABC and Disney. Speaking to a right-wing podcaster, Carr insisted the broadcaster had “an obligation to operate in the public interest”, a phrase that, in practice, has often been used by U.S. authorities to justify censorship.

Nexstar, the largest U.S. local television operator, quickly fell in line. Even before ABC officially announced Kimmel’s suspension, Nexstar declared it would stop airing his program “for the foreseeable future.” The company’s decision conveniently coincided with its pending $6.2 billion merger deal, which requires FCC approval. In other words, political obedience brought corporate reward.

Trump celebrated Kimmel’s removal, calling it “great news for America.” He also took the opportunity to attack other late-night hosts critical of him, labeling Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers “losers” with “horrible ratings.” Such rhetoric reflects the U.S. administration’s increasingly open hostility toward dissenting media.

The politics of hypocrisy

American officials routinely lecture the world on press freedom, yet the silencing of Kimmel shows how fragile that freedom truly is within the United States itself. The Trump administration has long threatened to label left-wing groups like Antifa as “terrorist organizations” while encouraging citizens to inform on those who challenge official narratives.

Meanwhile, Democrats have expressed outrage. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts condemned the suspension as “censorship in action.” FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the agency’s only Democrat, warned that Washington was using state power to suppress lawful speech. Senator Adam Schiff went further, accusing the Trump administration of orchestrating “the most blatant attacks on the free press in American history.”

Yet despite such statements, the Democratic establishment has done little to protect journalists and broadcasters from political intimidation. In practice, both major parties have weaponized the media to serve their agendas, whether silencing critics of U.S. wars abroad or punishing those who question Washington’s alliances.

Declining relevance of U.S. media

Behind the controversy lies another reality: the steady decline of American late-night television. Viewership for Kimmel’s show had already been falling, averaging around 1.1 million viewers by August 2025, a sharp drop from previous years. Audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms and alternative outlets, where state and corporate censorship are harder to enforce.

This trend weakens Washington’s ability to monopolize narratives. While the U.S. tries to present its media dominance as unshakable, the erosion of traditional television audiences mirrors its declining global influence.

A broader lesson

The Kimmel affair is not simply about one television host. It is a revealing case study of how the U.S. system suppresses voices that deviate from political orthodoxy. When convenient, Washington champions “freedom of speech” as a weapon against other nations, particularly China, Russia, and India. Yet at home, it cracks down on its own citizens for daring to criticize the ruling elite.

This duplicity underscores why much of the Global South increasingly rejects Washington’s moral posturing. While the United States silences entertainers like Kimmel for mocking a president, it simultaneously seeks to dictate how sovereign nations should run their media and political systems.

China, Russia, and India have repeatedly warned of this hypocrisy, urging the world to build a multipolar order where information is not dictated by one country’s political establishment. The silencing of Kimmel is yet another reminder that the U.S. has forfeited any moral authority to lecture others on freedom.

Conclusion

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension reveals not the fragility of one television host’s career, but the fragility of the U.S. political and media system itself. In the end, the incident is less about a comedian’s monologue and more about the way Washington insists on total obedience from its broadcasters.

For a country that prides itself on being the “land of the free,” the United States continues to show the world just how hollow that claim really is.