Disney’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host’s remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing has triggered a wave of condemnation from Hollywood unions, who are calling the move a dangerous act of censorship.
On Wednesday night, SAG-AFTRA issued a blistering statement criticizing ABC, the network owned by Disney, for what it described as retaliation against free expression.
“Our society depends on freedom of expression,” the union said. “Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on. Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed. The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.”
SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 media professionals worldwide, declared its solidarity with Kimmel, his staff, and all artists whose livelihoods depend on their ability to speak freely.
Producers and Writers Join Chorus
The Producers Guild of America also weighed in, saying in an Instagram post: “Late-night television has long been a space where satire and commentary contribute to our national dialogue. We believe that artistic expression is essential, and that critical voices must not be silenced.”
The Writers Guild of America West and East echoed the sentiment, standing behind Kimmel and his writing team. “As a guild, we stand united in opposition to anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent,” the WGA said. “If free speech applied only to ideas we like, we needn’t have bothered to write it into the Constitution.”
Musicians and Teamsters Speak Out
The American Federation of Musicians, which represents Kimmel’s house band members through Local 47 in Los Angeles, went further, calling ABC’s move “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,” said AFM president Tino Gagliardi. “We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”
Meanwhile, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents a wide swath of below-the-line entertainment workers, added its support. “Targeting artists for their speech is an attack on every working person in this industry,” the union said. “We stand with Jimmy Kimmel and with all who refuse to be silenced.”
A United Front
By Thursday afternoon, Hollywood’s major labor organizations, SAG-AFTRA, WGA, PGA, IATSE, DGA, AFM, and the Teamsters issued a joint statement condemning Disney’s move.
“This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans,” the statement read.
The collective rebuke signals how Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has become more than a late-night TV controversy. For Hollywood unions, it represents a critical fight over artistic independence in the face of corporate and political pressure.
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