The US has become increasingly dystopian, with the government seemingly exerting excessive influence and power over the country. Average Americans are living in fear, and not even white millionaire comedian hosts are safe, with late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel now being suspended by Disney via ABC. The reason for this suspension was the comedian’s remark that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” Some people might say that he had it coming, with many already calling for his cancellation regarding his comments.
The first thing that online users pointed out was how a specific Fox News host has not received any punishment for his recent comment. “Meanwhile, Brian ‘Kill The Homeless’ Kilmeade is still on the air,” remarks a commenter, referring to how Kilmeade said that all the homeless and mentally ill in America should just be given involuntary lethal injections. In other words, killed. While he demonstrated a “halfhearted” apology for his statement, the host still has his job at Fox despite all the backlash. On the other hand, a well-known late-night comedian has been essentially temporarily laid off indefinitely for mocking MAGA and how the political party has reacted to one of their pillars being killed. “This is straight up dystopian. Where talk show hosts now have to fear saying anything bad about the government. Wtf,” says a Reddit user.
It’s clear that ABC has been showing clear support for the current regime, as AP News points out how Trump congratulated the organization for its move to Truth Social. But considering how Disney owns ABC, it is quite a surprise, seeing how Disney is typically viewed as not being right-wing but more progressive than anything. CEO Bob Iger even told shareholders last year that it is “politically biased in favor of progressivism,” according to Newsweek. Whatever the case, White House deputy chief is calling Kimmel’s punishment the result of “Consequence Culture,” with “companies like ABC finally willing to do the right and reasonable thing.”
Online commenters point out how Jimmy Kimmel didn’t even mock Charlie Kirk, but was calling out the Right for trying its best to blame the Left for the murder. “So Trump’s FCC political appointee threatens ABC with action, and Disney caved,” says a user. Even if Kimmel comes out and apologizes to get back his show, it still is a terrifying situation of the government overstepping its boundaries and pressuring mega corporations to follow its narrative.
