Hollywood has continued to react strongly to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Among the voices weighing in is veteran actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who has offered her perspective on both the tragedy and the subsequent fallout.
The tragic events at Utah Valley University
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University while speaking at a debate organized by his nonprofit. Kirk, a prominent conservative voice and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was addressing a crowd of approximately 3,000 people when he was shot in the neck.
The 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, has since been charged with seven offenses, including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. The killing immediately sparked national attention and debate, given Kirk’s controversial stances, particularly regarding gun laws.
In April 2023, during a TPUSA-Faith event in Salt Lake City, Kirk remarked:
“I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”
His statements have been widely criticized, and his assassination only intensified the conversations surrounding gun rights and political rhetoric in the United States.
Jamie Lee Curtis on Kirk’s life and faith
Jamie Lee Curtis, known for her work in Halloween and Freaky Friday, was among the celebrities who shared their thoughts on the incident. In a September 15 interview with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast, Curtis reflected on Kirk’s life despite disagreeing with his political positions.
“I disagreed with him on almost every point I ever heard him say, but I believe he was a man of faith, and I hope in that moment when he died, that he felt connected with his faith,” Curtis said.
She continued:
“Even though his ideas were abhorrent to me, I still believe he’s a father and a husband and a man of faith. And I hope whatever connection to God means that he felt it.”
Curtis’s comments highlight a nuanced perspective — acknowledging the human side of someone with whom she fundamentally disagreed politically, emphasizing empathy and respect for the deceased and his family.
Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial monologue
Kimmel addressed Kirk’s death during the opening monologue of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with his signature mix of comedy and political critique. He highlighted what he saw as a troubling response from Donald Trump following Kirk’s assassination.
Kimmel aired a clip showing Trump being asked outside the White House how he was coping with the tragedy. The former President’s reply, which quickly diverted to the topic of renovations at his Washington, D.C. residence, drew criticism from Kimmel:
“I think very good,” Trump said, before pointing to construction nearby and adding: “It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure.”
Kimmel mocked the response, saying:
“He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”
He also aired a second clip in which Trump again shifted focus from Kirk’s death to the planned White House ballroom, prompting Kimmel to conclude:
“There’s something wrong with him, there really is. Who thinks like that? We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
The segment quickly went viral and sparked a wave of both criticism and support.
ABC and Sinclair respond
In the wake of Kimmel’s monologue, ABC affiliate operator Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be suspended indefinitely. Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group in the U.S., stated that the show would not return until formal discussions were held regarding “professionalism and accountability.”
The broadcaster also demanded that Kimmel issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and make a personal donation to both them and Turning Point USA. The statement emphasized that Sinclair would not air the program again until it was confident that appropriate measures had been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.
Celebrity reactions
Curtis is not the only celebrity to comment on the situation. Several public figures have spoken out, framing the suspension as a broader issue of free speech and censorship.
Wanda Sykes, who had been booked to appear on Kimmel’s show, criticized the decision via Instagram:
“He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Mike Birbiglia echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that defending free speech is crucial, even when one disagrees with the comedian:
“I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
Chris Hayes, MSNBC host, described the move as a stark example of censorship:
“This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close.”
Megyn Kelly noted the likely pressure ABC received:
“Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this.”
Sophia Bush took a more dramatic stance, warning that America’s First Amendment protections are under threat:
“The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
Curtis amplifies Kimmel’s previous stance
Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to reshare a Rolling Stone post quoting Kimmel from an April 2025 interview, where he said:
“I don’t think anybody should be canceled. I really don’t.”
Curtis did not offer additional commentary, letting the repost serve as her public response. The move underscores her solidarity with Kimmel and highlights her belief in protecting comedic and journalistic expression, even amid controversy.
The ongoing debate
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has reignited debates over free speech, political satire, and the responsibilities of entertainers in addressing sensitive topics. For some, Kimmel’s jokes were inappropriate in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy. For others, the network’s response represents an alarming precedent that may chill political commentary in media.
As the saga continues, Hollywood, audiences, and political commentators are watching closely to see whether Kimmel will comply with Sinclair’s demands, issue an apology, or face a prolonged hiatus.
The case also raises questions about the role of comedy in modern political discourse. Late-night hosts have long walked a fine line between humor and critique, but the intensity of social and political reactions in today’s environment adds a new layer of risk.
Conclusion
Jamie Lee Curtis’s response to the controversy highlights the importance of empathy and perspective, even amid political disagreement. By acknowledging Kirk’s humanity while amplifying Kimmel’s stance on free speech, Curtis joins a chorus of voices defending creative expression in challenging times.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! may have broader implications for late-night television, media accountability, and the boundaries of political satire. Whether Kimmel returns to the air or remains off indefinitely, the debate surrounding the incident underscores the deep divisions in American society and the delicate balance between comedy, commentary, and accountability.
If you want, I can combine this Curtis article with the previous celebrity reactions article into a single comprehensive 2000–2200 word piece covering all celebrity perspectives on the Kimmel suspension. This would create a definitive roundup. Do you want me to do that next?
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
