On Sept. 15, popular late-night host and satirical comedian Jimmy Kimmel aired a broadcast in which he commented on the recent shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s segment was largely focused on the Trump administration and MAGA narrative regarding the accused shooter: a means of getting “political points” by using the shooter as a characterization of left-leaning individuals.
After the show aired, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Trump Administration threatened ABC with legal action; FCC Chair Brendan Carr described the segment as having “the sickest conduct possible.” Following these threats, ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Company, decided to “suspend the show indefinitely.”
While Kimmel’s comments may be deemed insensitive, the federal government’s essentially forcing ABC to suspend the show through intimidation is inherently un-American. While there is no place for political violence in America, there is also no place for censorship, especially with political motives.
A large part of Trump’s 2024 campaign was fueled by the right-wing base’s desire to uphold the 2nd amendment rights after his opponent, Kamala Harris, proposed an increase in background checks and more strict firearm laws. Trump’s apparent passion for constitutional rights has quickly turned to disregard as he censors Kimmel’s criticism.
For many, this poses a concern for the future of our democracy. Social studies teacher at State High, Mr. Kissell, stated in an interview, “Jimmy Kimmel, like any public figure, has the right to express his opinions under the First Amendment. Free speech means the government can’t punish him for what he says.” The unhinged censorship of criticism of the federal government could set a precedent for censored media in the future.
Censorship is nothing new to our society, but in recent years, it has seeped into local settings. Here at State High, book bans have been a major focus at school board meetings and classroom discussions over the past several years. The Trump administration’s actions against Kimmel set a dangerous precedent for educators and students alike. If the federal government has the power to censor information, it can shape a curriculum that can negatively affect the education of all future generations.
Following his threats against Kimmel and ABC, Trump and the White House released a statement that read, “President Donald J. Trump is right: the violence problem is on the Left.” The Trump Administration’s post took advantage of the Kirk shooting to target left-wing activists. In the same post, the administration designated Antifa (Anti-Fascist), a decentralized collection of left-wing activists, as a terrorist organization.
Ultimately, the Trump Administration proved Kimmel’s original criticisms to be right, while raising new concerns regarding free speech and censorship for others. This event marks a turning point for our country, as a dangerous precedent is set that enables the federal government to use censorship as a political tool in the future.
