Jimmy Kimmel faces backlash for lying about Charlie Kirk's killer
- Jimmy Kimmel made false claims about Charlie Kirk's alleged murderer on his show, leading to ABC's decision to suspend him.
- Several Hollywood celebrities have voiced their support for Kimmel, denouncing ABC’s actions as a violation of free speech.
- The situation has highlighted hypocrisy among celebrities who previously stayed silent on the cancelation of conservative figures.
In the United States, a series of statements made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel during his late-night show has sparked considerable controversy. On September 17, 2025, Kimmel made false claims regarding the alleged murderer of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. This incident led to ABC/Disney's decision to shelve Kimmel's show indefinitely, as it was perceived that he failed to provide accurate information regarding the case. The fallout from Kimmel's comments has drawn reactions from various celebrities and public figures, with many expressing outrage over the decision to suspend the show, thus framing the situation as an issue of free speech. Numerous left-wing celebrities have shown their support for Kimmel on social media, condemning ABC's actions as an attack on freedom of speech. Prominent figures like Ben Stiller, Sophia Bush, and Mia Farrow have vehemently criticized the network while others, such as Kathy Griffin, emphasized the importance of standing by Kimmel in this challenging time. However, critics of Kimmel argue that this displays blatant hypocrisy because these same celebrities largely remained silent when conservative figures faced cancelation for less egregious actions. Additionally, Kimmel has faced scrutiny for past statements where he criticized others for lying. In January 2024, he publicly admonished NFL player Aaron Rodgers for his comments about him, asserting that Kimmel does not tell lies and has a team to ensure his facts are accurate. Yet, following the recent comments regarding Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, it became evident that he failed to fact-check, leading to similar accusations against him. The broader implications of Kimmel's comments reflect a larger conversation about censorship in entertainment and the treatment of individuals within the industry based on their political beliefs. Notably, numerous figures previously canceled for their political opinions or jokes have received little to no support from the celebrities rallying around Kimmel now. This has led to accusations that the entertainment elite are biased in their defense based on political alignments, which they neglected when similar situations arose involving conservative figures. The public and industry response continues to evolve as this situation unfolds, highlighting the existing divides in contemporary discourse around freedom of expression and accountability in media.