Hollywood is uniting in defense of freedom of speech following the abrupt removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from ABC’s programming.
On September 22, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) published an open letter signed by more than 400 celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, Martin Short and Meryl Streep, voicing concern over what they describe as a “dark moment for free expression in America.”
The ACLU Letter: A Warning Against Silencing Voices
The open letter begins with a powerful statement:
“We the people must never accept government threats to our freedom of speech. Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists, and companies with retaliation for their speech strike at the heart of what it means to live in a free country.”
The letter specifically references the government’s alleged role in pressuring Disney-owned ABC to remove Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup just hours before the show’s September 17 broadcast.
Calling the situation “a dark moment for freedom of speech,” the letter warns that the silencing of one public voice—whether an artist, journalist, or entertainer—sets a dangerous precedent that threatens all Americans.
Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Was Pulled
The controversy began after Jimmy Kimmel made pointed comments on his September 15 broadcast about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA.
Two days later, Disney’s ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its September 17 airing. Broadcasting giants Nexstar Media and Sinclair Broadcast Group both objected to Kimmel’s remarks, labeling them “offensive” and “deeply insensitive” at a time of national mourning.
According to Nexstar’s broadcasting division president Andrew Alford, continuing to air Kimmel was “not in the public interest.” Sinclair went further, demanding that Kimmel issue a public apology to the Kirk family, make a donation to Turning Point USA, and engage in “formal discussions” about professionalism and accountability before the show could return to air.
Trump and the FCC Weigh In
The controversy drew political reactions as well. Donald Trump criticized Kimmel directly, saying during a state visit to the U.K.:
“Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else and he said a horrible thing about a great man named Charlie Kirk. Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person, and they should have fired him a long time ago.”
Meanwhile, FCC Chair Brendan Carr praised broadcasters for pushing back against ABC’s programming, stating that it was important to uphold “community values.”
This comes as Nexstar awaits regulatory approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcast company Tegna, which would expand its reach to 80% of U.S. households. The FCC’s decision could further influence how much power national networks like Disney hold over local broadcasters.
Hollywood Pushes Back: Celebrities Defend Free Expression
The ACLU letter has quickly become a rallying point in the debate. Celebrities across film, television, and music signed their names to emphasize that silencing one voice threatens many others.
Some of the most notable signatories include: Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, Martin Short, Meryl Streep, Jason Bateman, Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Olivia Rodrigo, Ben Stiller, Michael Keaton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo and Kerry Washington.
The letter emphasizes that threats to free speech extend beyond Hollywood, noting that teachers, universities, law firms, students, and researchers are also facing increasing restrictions on what they can say.
A Call to Action
The letter concludes with a call for Americans to defend their constitutional rights:
“This is the moment to defend free speech across our nation. We encourage all Americans to join us, along with the ACLU, in the fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.”
By standing together, the signatories argue, public figures and everyday citizens alike can push back against censorship and reaffirm the values of open dialogue and artistic freedom.
