Everyone loves to get behind a cause, and it seems that the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel is exactly the type of thing to generate a huge number of signatures on a Change.org petition. That is exactly what it has done in the last few days since the talk show host’s late-night show was taken off-air following his comments in relation to the death of Charlie Kirk.
A Change.org campaign set up on September 17 urging viewers to boycott ABC until Jimmy Kimmel Live! is reinstated attracted plenty of interest, and at the time of writing is on just over 79,000 signatures. With more signatures being added every few minutes, the petition will pass 80,000 very soon, and its blunt wording makes it clear what tens of thousands of signatories are in agreement with.
The petition’s organizers tell supporters to “Sign this petition to demand the return of the Jimmy Kimmel show” and to “let ABC know you will not support them or their advertisers” until the program returns. The opening of the petition reads:
“Defend freedom of speech. Let corporate giants like ABC know we will not tolerate catering to the Trump administration’s bullying, fascism, and attacks on free speech by boycotting ABC and its advertisers until Kimmel is restored to the airwaves.
Threats by our FCC for someone voicing an opinion on the airwaves is unconstitutional and un-acceptable in a free country.”
Set up by someone who has worked in broadcasting, the petition creator shares their personal experiences from the last Trump administration, details the reasons why standing up for free speech in the country, and then points out the argument that has been made by those who are in support of Kimmel in this matter.
“The entire nation is speculating about the shooters politics and motivation right now and Kimmel’s opinion wasn’t exactly anything radical, offensive, or unheard of by millions of Americans, and he did not condone violence or celebrate anyone’s death.”
Is It Possible for Kimmel to Return to ABC?
While Kimmel is set to meet with Disney/ABC executives to discuss his future on the network, it is very hard to see how that can still be an option. The outrage from Kimmel’s supporters is matched by the celebrations from those who are opposed to the host’s views and frequent barbs aimed at Donald Trump and his running of the country. With such strong opinions from both sides, and no one seemingly willing to find a middle ground, whatever decision is made about Kimmel’s fate is going to draw a fair amount of backlash in the immediate aftermath.
We will likely discover which way the pendulum swings in the next few days, but that will not be the end of the matter. There is a genie out of its lamp, and getting it back in there seems unlikely to happen as long as opinions remain completely divided. When the choice is between enraging supporters of Donald Trump’s vision of America or facing the rallying calls of the many who are fearful of what is happening to the country’s belief in freedom of speech.
- Release Date
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January 26, 2003
- Network
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ABC
