Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has strongly criticized the Trump administration following the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from ABC after his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power,” Kamala Harris wrote on X, though she did not mention Kimmel by name.
“This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. Media corporations — from television networks to newspapers — are capitulating to these threats.”
Kamala Harris added,
“We cannot dare to be silent or complacent in the face of this frontal assault on free speech. We, the People, deserve better.”
Harris’s remarks come amid growing criticism from political and entertainment figures over ABC’s decision to “indefinitely” pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! after pressure from the Trump administration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Republicans of orchestrating censorship, saying,
“These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous… They are censoring you in real time.”
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, warning of the dangers of weaponizing federal power against dissenting voices.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” Obama wrote on X.
The controversy erupted after Kimmel criticized right-wing figures during his Monday night monologue, accusing them of exploiting Kirk’s murder for political gain.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
Shortly after, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed under Trump, publicly pressured broadcasters to stop airing the show, warning that failure to act could lead to tougher regulatory measures.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said during a conversation with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
The mounting backlash has sparked a heated debate over free speech, censorship, and the growing influence of political power over American media.
