Jimmy Kimmel Suspended: American Federation of Musicians Condemns “Government Overreach” After ABC Pulls Late Night Show

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from ABC’s airwaves has sparked national outrage, with organizations, unions, and artists voicing concern over what they call blatant “government censorship.” Among the strongest responses came from the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) , who issued a statement of solidarity with Kimmel and his staff.

Why Was Jimmy Kimmel Live Taken Off the Air?

On September 17, 2025, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “pre-empted indefinitely.” The decision came just hours after FCC Chair Brendan Carr , under the Trump administration, threatened ABC and Disney with regulatory repercussions following Kimmel’s monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

During his segment, Kimmel criticized MAGA attempts to spin the murder, then mocked President Trump for discussing White House ballroom construction while asked about Kirk’s death. Critics—including Trump himself—called the comments “insensitive,” leading to mounting pressure from both government officials and ABC-affiliated station owners.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has since announced plans to replace Kimmel’s slot with a Charlie Kirk remembrance special.

What Did the American Federation of Musicians Say?

The AFM , which represents 70,000 professional musicians across the U.S. and Canada, quickly condemned ABC’s decision. AFM President Tino Gagliardi released a fiery statement, calling the move “state censorship.”

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship… This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression.”

The AFM also noted that Jimmy Kimmel Live! employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, meaning ABC’s decision directly strips working musicians of employment opportunities.

What Is the American Federation of Musicians?

The AFM is a powerful labor union, part of the AFL-CIO, dedicated to protecting the rights of professional musicians for more than 129 years. They negotiate fair pay, protect recorded music ownership, and secure benefits like healthcare and pensions.

By weighing in on Kimmel’s suspension, the AFM emphasized that the issue extends beyond television comedy—it directly threatens freedom of artistic expression across all creative industries, including music.

Why This Matters for Musicians and Artists

Although Kimmel is not a musician, his suspension highlights how government intervention in artistic content could impact everyone in the entertainment industry. If political pressure can silence a late-night comedian, unions fear the same tactics could target musicians, filmmakers, and artists who challenge those in power.

As the AFM’s statement put it, “We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say in His Monologue?

Kimmel addressed the controversy surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk, saying:

“The MAGA gang [is] 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 then cut to clips of Trump discussing ballroom construction during an interview about Kirk’s death, quipping, “He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”

This commentary sparked FCC scrutiny and ultimately led to ABC’s removal of his show.

Reactions Beyond the AFM

The AFM was not alone in its criticism.

Writers Guild of America (WGA) said: “Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world.”

FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) called the move “government pressure that forced ABC to cave.”

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned: “This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”

Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick blasted the suspension on social media, saying those celebrating the cancellation are “highly selective, manipulative a-holes.”

Even beyond Hollywood, the move has become a flashpoint for debates on free speech, censorship, and political influence in media.

What Comes Next?

With ABC indefinitely suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! and major broadcast groups like Nexstar and Sinclair distancing themselves, the future of the show—and its staff—remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Trump has already called for NBC to take similar action against Seth Meyers, signaling that this conflict over government vs. artistic expression may be far from over.

The American Federation of Musicians’ bold statement frames the issue not just as a TV controversy, but as a dangerous precedent for how artists of all kinds—from comedians to musicians—could be silenced by political power.