By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
NEW YORK — “No one silences us.” That was the message from Whoopi Goldberg, who opened ABC’s The View on Monday by condemning Disney’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and celebrating news that his late-night show would return Tuesday.
Goldberg and her co-hosts had stayed quiet for two episodes after Kimmel was pulled off the air, but she made her stance clear: silencing comedians isn’t the answer. “No one silences us,” she told viewers, blasting ABC’s decision to bow to political pressure.
Kimmel was suspended after remarks in a Sept. 10 monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He said “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and that “the MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
Celebrity Pushback
Goldberg wasn’t alone. A wave of celebrities, activists, and public figures came forward to defend Kimmel’s right to speak freely.
Comedian Wanda Sykes wrote on Instagram: “So, let’s see, he didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Former President Barack Obama also criticized the climate of pressure on media companies: “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.”
Actor Marlon Wayans connected Kimmel’s suspension to broader struggles faced by entertainers of color: “He’s experiencing the same type of professional retaliation that Black performers have endured for years.”
Industry & Politics Collide
ABC said Monday it had “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy” before deciding to bring him back. Still, the controversy cast a spotlight on Disney’s sensitive business deals, including ESPN’s bid to acquire the NFL Network, which needs Trump administration approval.
Meanwhile, affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair initially pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live!; Sinclair said Monday it still would not air the show’s return.
Kimmel, who has hosted his show since 2003, remains under contract with ABC through 2026. His reinstatement comes as CBS prepares to cancel Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, marking a time of upheaval in late-night TV.
For Goldberg, the bottom line was clear: “No one silences us.”