CNN host Abby Phillip called on liberals to actively acknowledge their role in promoting cancel culture, arguing that doing so is necessary for national progress. Phillip’s comments came during a discussion on her show ‘Table for Five,’ where she and her panel addressed the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following controversial comments he made about Charlie Kirk, which triggered backlash from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and two major broadcast affiliate owners.
Phillip criticized liberals for being ‘too censorious’ in the past while acknowledging that free speech norms have evolved. She emphasized that cancel culture has led to censorship and that liberals must recognize their past contributions to this phenomenon while acknowledging the evolving understanding of free speech. When asked what liberals should admit, Phillip argued that they must recognize that cancel culture was an issue before Kimmel’s suspension, not just a recent development.
Phillip’s comments contrasted with those of CNN political commentator Ashley Allison, a former Biden official, who disagreed with her assessment. Allison argued that, unlike Republicans, a Democratic president did not attempt to ‘cancel’ someone, noting that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had not engaged in such actions. Allison further suggested that individual citizens, rather than government entities, possess the power to express disapproval through their choices, such as viewership and subscriptions.
Meanwhile, some conservative commentators celebrated Kimmel’s suspension, while others expressed caution about potential government overreach. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the balance between free speech and the responsibilities of media outlets in handling controversial content. As the discussion continues, the role of cancel culture in shaping public discourse remains a contentious issue in American politics.