Musicians React After Jimmy Kimmel Is Pulled Off the Air

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world — and now the music industry is weighing in. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM), one of the largest unions representing professional musicians in the U.S. and Canada, has strongly condemned the network’s decision, calling it a troubling example of “state censorship.”

Musicians Union Slams “Government Overreach”

On September 17, just hours after ABC confirmed it had indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup, the AFM released a statement criticizing both the network and the political pressure behind the move. The show was taken off the air after Kimmel made pointed comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the MAGA movement, and President Trump’s remarks about a White House ballroom construction project.

AFM President Tino Gagliardi didn’t mince words:

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.

This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society.

The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air. We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

The AFM represents more than 70,000 professional musicians across North America and noted that Jimmy Kimmel Live! employed union musicians through Local 47 in Los Angeles.

FCC Threats, Station Pullouts, and a Growing Backlash

The backlash stems from Kimmel’s monologue on the September 16 episode, during which he addressed public reactions to Charlie Kirk’s murder. Speaking about the accused shooter, Tyler James Robinson, Kimmel said:

“The MAGA gang desperately [is] 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. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Kimmel also aired clips of an interview with Trump, who, when asked about Kirk’s assassination, pivoted to discuss the construction of a new White House ballroom:

“I think very good, and by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction on the new ballroom at the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get, as you know, for about 150 years. And it’s going to be a beauty.”

Kimmel’s reaction:

“He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”

Following the segment, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared on a conservative podcast and called for action against ABC and Disney. Carr suggested the network’s license could be at risk:

“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Shortly afterward, Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC-affiliated stations, announced it would no longer air the show. Nexstar’s President of Broadcasting, Andrew Alford, called Kimmel’s remarks “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

In place of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced a Charlie Kirk remembrance special would air on Friday, September 19.

Artists, Unions, and Advocates Rally Behind Kimmel

The AFM wasn’t alone in its reaction. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) also spoke out against ABC’s decision:

“Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world. The WGA stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers.”

Free speech group FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) accused the government of coercion:

“The government pressured ABC—and ABC caved. The timing of ABC’s decision, on the heels of the FCC chairman’s pledge to the network to ‘do this the easy way or the hard way,’ tells the whole story.”

Even FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the panel, voiced concern:

“An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control. This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”

In the music world, guitarist Alex Skolnick of metal band Testament expressed outrage:

“A week ago, Jimmy Kimmel posted a heartfelt, sympathetic & empathetic message of condolence and sorrow to Charlie Kirk’s family. Last night, he made a joke about Trump’s reaction… Those who support today’s cancellation of Kimmel by ABC/Disney to appease the oversensitive manbaby in the WH… are highly selective, manipulative a**holes who don’t deserve to live here.”

Meanwhile, on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump cheered the decision and took a swipe at another late-night host:

“Great News for America: The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done… That leaves Jimmy and Seth [Meyers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”

As the entertainment industry continues to reel from the fallout, artists, unions, and advocates warn this moment could signal a turning point for free speech and creative independence — not just in late-night television, but across the broader cultural landscape, including music.