Fans of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expressed significant discontent after his show was temporarily pulled from the air last year following remarks that drew backlash from supporters of former President Donald Trump. A wave of complaints directed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by chair Brendan Carr, revealed that a large portion of these grievances criticized the FCC rather than Kimmel himself.
The complaints, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, highlighted concerns over what many perceived as government censorship. The audience argued that the government was infringing on First Amendment rights by pressuring networks to withdraw Kimmel’s show—especially since he has frequently been a target of Trump’s criticism.
A complaint from September 19, 2025, criticized Carr, questioning “Why Is Your Boss Such A Thin-skinned Loser Who Hates Free Speech?” Many of the complaints voiced their dissatisfaction with both Carr and Trump, accusing them of silencing dissenting voices.
Interestingly, only a small number of complaints were directed specifically at Kimmel, while a few mentioned Stephen Colbert, another late-night host often criticized by Trump. The backlash against Kimmel’s suspension prompted significant outrage on social media platforms, leading some to call for a boycott of ABC and its parent company, Disney.
Kimmel’s show was taken off air for five days in September, following Carr’s threat to revoke ABC’s broadcasting license over Kimmel’s comments related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel had characterized the reactions from Trump supporters as an attempt to manipulate the narrative surrounding the event. Disney cited the decision to suspend Kimmel as a response to the timing and sensitivity of his remarks, claiming they were not reflective of the network’s values.
Despite the outcry, Kimmel returned to his show with no public apology. The incident ignited discussions about free speech and media independence, with approximately 400 prominent Hollywood figures signing an open letter in support of Kimmel and condemning the actions taken against him.
Ultimately, Kimmel’s experience has stirred a lively national conversation about freedom of expression, illustrating the complex tensions between media, government influence, and public opinion.