Obama responds to Jimmy Kimmel suspension and cancel culture
The article discusses former President Barack Obama’s reaction to ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely following Kimmel’s comments about Charlie kirk’s assassination. Obama criticized the current administration on social media, accusing it of escalating cancel culture by threatening regulatory actions against media companies unless they silence or fire certain reporters and commentators. He referenced the firing of Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah over her remarks on Kirk’s assassination as an example of government coercion undermining First Amendment protections.
The suspension came after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr warned ABC that the network’s affiliate licenses could be revoked if Kimmel was not disciplined for his comments. This move sparked backlash from Democrats and Hollywood figures, who condemned Carr’s intervention as an abuse of power and a threat to free speech. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Carr’s resignation,accusing him of bullying ABC and undermining American values.
Meanwhile,former President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision,celebrating it on his social media platform and disparaging Kimmel’s ratings and talent. Obama also reflected on Kirk’s death, mourning the loss while acknowledging his disagreement with Kirk’s views. He expressed concern about the unfriendly rhetoric used by the current administration and its aides towards political opponents. The White house has been contacted for a comment on the issue.
Obama responds to Jimmy Kimmel suspension and cancel culture
Former President Barack Obama condemned the White House on Thursday over ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” Obama said on X.
In a follow-up post on the same X thread, Obama posted the link to a news article about former Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, who said she was recently fired over social media comments she made about Kirk’s assassination.
“This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it,” Obama said on X.
The former president’s post was met with backlash from Republicans who accused him of silencing conservative voices online during his administration, including Roseanne Barr.
“Remember when you and your wife called Bob Iger to have me fired?” Barr said on X in response.
BYRON YORK CALLS ABC’S DECISION TO PULL JIMMY KIMMEL A ‘MARKET RESPONSE’ TO RECKLESS COMMENTARY
ABC, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, announced the decision hours after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened during a podcast interview to revoke its network affiliate licenses if Kimmel was not reprimanded for his comments on Monday night’s broadcast.
“Frankly, when you see stuff like this — I mean, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told conservative podcast host Benny Johnson. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Following the decision, Democrats and Hollywood figures have condemned the decision, arguing that it violates the First Amendment.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) posted a joint statement on X from top House Democrats calling for Carr’s resignation.
“Brendan Carr, the so-called Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has engaged in the corrupt abuse of power,” the statement reads. “He has disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration.
“FCC Chair Brendan Carr should resign immediately. Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s war on the First Amendment is blatantly inconsistent with American values.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Carr’s actions are “despicable.”
Carr “is one of the greatest threats to free speech America has ever seen,” Schumer said on social media. “He should resign immediately. Trump should fire him.”
While on a state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump celebrated the decision on his social media platform Truth Social, saying it’s “great news for America.”
“The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” Trump said. “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC.Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC.”
Obama’s post comes after he spoke about Kirk’s death at an event on Tuesday in Pennsylvania. The former president mourned the loss while also distinguishing that he disagreed with many of Kirk’s ideas.
FREE SPEECH DEBATE DOMINATES TRUMP’S ‘WONDERFUL’ UK VISIT WITH STARMER
“When I hear not just our current president, but his aides, who have a history of calling political opponents vermin, enemies who need to be targeted, that speaks to a broader problem that we have right now,” Obama said.
The Washington Examiner has contacted the White House for comment.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
