Former President Barack Obama has entered the national debate once again, this time by criticizing media companies for yielding to pressure from the Trump administration by suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. The former president argues that this decision reflects an alarming attack on the First Amendment, following the killing of Republican activist Charlie Kirk. He asserts that the current administration has escalated its threat to media companies, using the power of regulatory action to silence critics.
Obama’s comments were posted on X, where he called the suspension of Kimmel a clear example of government coercion against the media. The incident follows a series of events, including the Washington Post’s firing of Karen Attiah, a columnist who was let go following criticism of Kirk’s death. Obama linked this to a broader trend of government interference, warning that it undermines the principles of free speech.
The suspension of Kimmel’s show came after complaints from White House officials over his remarks that appeared to align Kirk’s suspected killer with the MAGA movement. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are calling for the resignation of FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who issued threats of consequences if the network did not take action against Kimmel.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the decision, stating that the suspension was a private company’s choice, not an act of government overreach. Kimmel’s suspension, however, has drawn widespread condemnation from Democrats, who argue it represents an alarming trend of censorship and political pressure on media outlets.