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Kimmel Returns Amid Free Speech Controversy and Celebrity Support

9/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 23 after week-long suspension over Charlie Kirk's assassination comments.
Backlash followed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr's threats of action against ABC and prompted Nexstar and Sinclair to pull it.
Kimmel's remarks sparked a debate on free speech, with over 400 celebrities signing an open letter backing him.

History

Historical Context

The Fairness Doctrine, enacted by the FCC in 1978, mandated that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints, shaping media discourse. In September 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened action against ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk's murder, leading to Kimmel's suspension. This incident reignited debates on free speech and censorship, reflecting ongoing tensions between media regulation and expression rights in the U.S.

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Story summary

Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 23 after week-long suspension over Charlie Kirk's assassination comments.
Backlash followed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr's threats of action against ABC and prompted Nexstar and Sinclair to pull it.
Kimmel's remarks sparked a debate on free speech, with over 400 celebrities signing an open letter backing him.

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