Olivia Rodrigo publicly backed Jimmy Kimmel after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, calling the move 'blatant censorship and abuse of power' and saying she stands with Kimmel and for freedom of speech.
On Saturday, the 22-year-old singer reposted SAG-AFTRA's statement about the suspension and wrote that she was upset by the decision, adding that she stood with Kimmel and for freedom of speech. She also appeared to cosign David Letterman's view on the situation, sharing a video in which the former host weighed in on the matter.
Letterman weighed in during a clip Rodrigo circulated, arguing against firing a host to appease a political power and criticizing what he described as a 'managed' media environment. He also criticized CBS for its handling of Stephen Colbert's show cancellation earlier this year, saying the industry’s approach to control over programming was problematic.
Beyond Rodrigo’s post, late-night peers spoke out in defense of Kimmel. Jimmy Fallon, whose Tonight Show monologue followed, joked about alleged pressure from the FCC to suspend Kimmel’s program and praised Kimmel as a decent, funny and loving guy before delivering a barb aimed at Trump. Colbert opened his program with a solidarity message for Kimmel, calling the suspension a form of censorship and suggesting satire should not be silenced; he referenced the political climate and warned that autocratic impulses threaten broadcasters' ability to poke at power.
Seth Meyers, host of Late Night, used his program to criticize the Trump administration’s approach to free speech and affirmed his support for Kimmel. Meyers said he would continue to produce his show with enthusiasm and integrity and urged viewers to stand up for democratic norms and freedom of expression. He noted that he had spoken with FCC Chair Brendan Carr about the matter, underscoring the broader debate about community values and broadcast standards.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was announced amid controversy over comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with ABC describing the action as indefinite. Kimmel’s team has signaled he intends to return to the air, with discussions ongoing about the timeline and conditions for resumption. The episode highlights the tension between comedy and politics in the current media landscape, as entertainers, unions and fellow hosts weigh in on how far networks should go in policing satire and controversial remarks.
As the public conversation continues, Rodrigo’s outspoken stance adds to a broader chorus of high-profile support for Kimmel, illustrating how a single suspension can reverberate across late-night television, political commentary and the ongoing debate over the boundaries of free expression in entertainment.