Jimmy Kimmel's Quick Return to Late-Night TV Is A Big Win for Us

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Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:   Trump cannot laugh at himself because “some deep part of his reptilian brain understands that humor can be a more powerful antidote to tyranny than any other form of criticism.” Jimmy Kimmel’s rapid reinstatement was a big win for us. Freedom of speech must be defended. Our resistance matters.


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

Brendan Carr, 2022: “Political satire is one of the oldest and most important forms of free speech.” 

Brendan Carr, 2025: Trump chair of the FCC, Carr called Kimmel's post-Kirk murder on-air remarks "sick" and pushed the network to cancel him, warning ominously that “[w]e can do this the easy way or the hard way.” 

Robert Reich suggests Trump cannot handle being humor's object  because “some deep part of his reptilian brain understands that humor can be a more powerful antidote to tyranny than any other form of criticism.” Comedy subverts and undermines tyrannical power, and shared laughter reminds us that we are not alone.

Criticism followed immediately from Disney’s suspension of Kimmel’s show. Customers’ cancellation of their subscriptions was 4x larger than any boycott since 2020,and its stock plummeted by $4 billion. Even Ted Cruz called Carr’s remarks “dangerous as hell.” 

By Monday, Kimmel was back, before a record audience of 6.2 million viewers, but CBS's recent appointment of Bari Weiss as news editor-in-chief represents another Foxification of the news ecosystem. 

Is Kimmel’s suspension a win or a loss? Is it an “unraveling of shared American culture” or a win, because aggressive pushback reinstated him immediately and may even slow  the next attack on an outspoken comedian or news broadcaster?

People resisted instantly, organizing in-person protests to defend the First Amendment, and comedians jumped into the fray, despite legitimate fears of being next. 

We must take our wins where and when they happen. Tyranny fails when we don't back down.


ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

I believe in the First Amendment and so should you. I’m relieved Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air. His show should not have been suspended. I demand that you fervently fight for freedom of speech.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I believe in the First Amendment and so should you. I’m relieved Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air. His show should not have been suspended. I demand that you fervently fight for freedom of speech.

Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)

DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling to affirm the quintessential importance of the First Amendment and to demand that you fight for this fundamental right being sullied by the tyrannical Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV is a big win, the slippery slope of censorship and intimidation cannot be ignored.

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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