Dave Portnoy claims Jimmy Kimmel's suspension is about consequences, not censorship

In the United States, Dave Portnoy, chief of Barstool Sports, recently expressed his views on the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Portnoy reiterated that Kimmel is facing repercussions for his actions rather than a violation of free speech rights. He asserted that Kimmel's controversial comments regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk, which linked the far-right MAGA supporters to the crime, caused a significant backlash. Sinclair communications responded to Kimmel's remarks by removing his show, stating that their audience did not want to see such content. Portnoy emphasized that Kimmel's declining ratings and the pressure from advertisers are direct consequences of his statements, not an issue of cancel culture. He distinguished between facing professional repercussions due to offensive statements and the broader concept of cancel culture, which he defined as efforts to unearth damaging information from a person’s past for retribution. Meanwhile, commentator Bill O'Reilly corroborated Portnoy’s viewpoint, suggesting that Kimmel's actions require accountability, reflecting a changing dynamic in the entertainment industry where consequences often follow controversial remarks. He characterized the incident as a failure of responsibility, noting that public figures should be aware of their comments' impact, especially in sensitive contexts such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Both Portnoy and O'Reilly aim to clarify that this situation is not an attack on free speech but rather a reflection of the responsibilities that come with being in the public eye, where one’s words can lead to significant professional ramifications.