Jennifer Aniston has joined over 400 celebrities in publicly supporting Jimmy Kimmel following the suspension of his late-night show by ABC. This move came shortly after Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking widespread debate over freedom of speech and network decisions.
ACLU and Celebrities Unite to Defend Jimmy Kimmel’s Speech Rights
Less than a week after ABC announced it was suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jennifer Aniston and hundreds of other Hollywood figures signed an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union condemning the network’s decision. The letter, published on September 22 by the ACLU, accused government officials of pressuring a private company into silencing Kimmel’s voice, calling it
“a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”
The letter further stated that efforts to intimidate artists, journalists, and corporations constitute a direct attack on the core principles of living in a free society. It stressed that regardless of political affiliations or engagement in politics, all Americans cherish their country and the right to free expression.
“Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air after the government threatened a private company with retaliation,”
the letter read.
“marking a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”
—American Civil Liberties Union
“Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists, and companies with retaliation,”
the letter continued,
“strikes at the heart of what it means to live in a free country.”
—American Civil Liberties Union
“Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country,”
it stated.
“We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power—because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”
—American Civil Liberties Union
Alongside Aniston, prominent supporters of Kimmel’s rights included Selena Gomez, Jane Fonda, Tom Hanks, Olivia Rodrigo, Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, and Rosie O’Donnell. Jason Bateman, a close friend of Kimmel and Aniston, was also among the signatories. The personal connection between Kimmel, Aniston, and Bateman runs deep, as the three, along with Kimmel’s wife Molly McNearney and Bateman’s wife Amanda Anka, have frequently vacationed together.
At the celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2023, Aniston praised Kimmel with warm words, emphasizing his positive impact on viewers.
“I would please like 20 more years,”
Aniston said during the special episode.
“because I don’t want you to ever leave my television set ‘cause you bring so much joy to myself and to the world.”
—Jennifer Aniston
Details Behind the Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel has not publicly addressed the suspension, which an ABC spokesperson confirmed to NBC News on September 17. The network indicated that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pre-empted indefinitely following his monologue on September 15, where he commented on the shooting death of Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, age 22.
During that episode, Kimmel criticized attempts by some in the MAGA movement to disassociate Robinson from their ranks.
“The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,”
Kimmel stated.
“and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
—Jimmy Kimmel
The monologue prompted a strong reaction from Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, who described Kimmel’s commentary as “the sickest conduct possible” after the tragedy. Carr warned that the FCC might take regulatory action against ABC or its parent company, Disney, including license revocations for ABC affiliates.
Following the threat, Nexstar Media Group Inc., which owns over 200 TV stations nationwide, announced its decision to stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates indefinitely starting September 17.
Charlie Kirk’s Death and National Reactions
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation across the political and entertainment spectrum.
Expressions From Political Figures and Celebrities
Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s passing on his social media platform Truth Social, honoring him as a legendary figure who deeply understood America’s youth.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,”
Trump wrote.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
—Donald Trump
Actress Kristin Chenoweth expressed her sorrow on Instagram Stories, describing the act as a “sad, senseless, and disgusting act” and offering prayers for Kirk’s family and the nation.
“Such a sad, senseless, and disgusting act!”
Chenoweth shared.
“Wow…prayers for teh Kirk family and prayers for our nation.”
—Kristin Chenoweth
Dr. Phil addressed Kirk’s assassination on his show The Real Story, highlighting Kirk’s roles as a husband, father, and friend while underscoring that his message and spirit will endure.
“Charlie Kirk, husband, father, friend, American, has been assassinated,”
Dr. Phil said.
“His spirit, passion and message will live on. Prayers for his soul and his wife and children.”
—Dr. Phil
Comedian Russell Brand extended condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and their children through Instagram, referring to Kirk as a “good, strange Christian man.”
“He was a good, strange Christian man. Dear God please comfort his family.”
—Russell Brand
Barack Obama, speaking for himself and Michelle Obama, expressed sorrow for Kirk’s family and condemned violence, highlighting the importance of democracy.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,”
Michelle Obama wrote on X.
“Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
—Michelle Obama
Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff stated that they were “deeply disturbed” by the fatal shooting and emphasized the need to oppose political violence in the United States.
“Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family,”
Harris wrote on X.
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
—Kamala Harris
Political commentator Candace Owens shared emotional memories of her work with Kirk at Turning Point USA and vowed to keep his legacy alive.
“There’s not a single person in the world that I would wish that on, and least of all someone with a heart like Charlie’s,”
Owens said in a Sept. 11 YouTube video.
“He loved his family. He loved his wife. He loved his country. And he didn’t deserve that ending.”
—Candace Owens
“We will carry the torch. I will never allow the memory of Charlie to be forgotten, obviously, because there is no Candace without Charlie. We came up in politics together. I don’t know what else to say other than I’m in a lot of pain right now.”
—Candace Owens
Actor Chris Pratt prayed for Kirk’s family and the nation’s healing while posting on X.
“Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.”
—Chris Pratt
Donald Trump Jr. honored Kirk as a brother-like figure and a leader in the political movement they shared.
“Charlie wasn’t just a friend—he was like a little brother to me—and to millions of people around the world,”
Trump Jr. wrote on X.
He was a true inspiration.
“We’ve lost a leader, a fighter, and a man whose character and conviction were rare. Too rare,”
he added.
“To think that his life was cut short by a brutal, heinous, evil act is beyond comprehension. It is horrible and it is heartbreaking.”
—Donald Trump Jr.
Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed that the tragedy was horrific and called for a resurgence of humanity in response.
“May it also be a moment for everyone to rediscover their humanity.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger
Rosie O’Donnell condemned the violence and begged people not to emulate the killer.
“No just no—do not become the murderer—this is wrong on every level.”
—Rosie O’Donnell
Bill Clinton said he was deeply saddened and angered, urging the public to engage in more peaceful political dialogue.
“I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully,”
Clinton wrote on X.
“Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers.”
—Bill Clinton
Reality TV personality Savannah Chrisley shared her devastation over losing a close friend and mentor in Kirk, describing the pain of missing upcoming events they planned together.
“I can’t believe I’m even writing these words,”
Chrisley wrote on Instagram.
“Charlie Kirk changed my life…he brought me into the Turning Point family this past year, and I was supposed to be standing next to him at every college this October. Instead, I sit here with a broken heart, devastated beyond words.”
“Rest easy, my friend. Heaven has gained a warrior.”
—Savannah Chrisley
First Lady Melania Trump reflected on the void left for Kirk’s children, lamenting that their lives will be filled with memories rather than new experiences with their father.
“[The kids] will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed.”
—Melania Trump
Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner praised Kirk’s significant contributions to the 2016 presidential campaign and his role in shaping the MAGA movement.
“Charlie Kirk was a close friend and a special human being. He played a significant role in helping President Trumps’s 2016 campaign, building and fostering the MAGA movement.”
—Jared Kushner
“To me, Charlie represented the best of MAGA. Firm in his beliefs, compassionate, curious, and respectful. He had huge allotments of courage, charisma, and character. The world lost a powerful force today, way before his time.”
—Jared Kushner
Former NFL player Tim Tebow stated he and his wife are praying for Kirk’s family and all who loved him, highlighting Kirk’s faith and dedication to family.
“Above all else, Charlie was a follower of Jesus, a husband, and a dad. He was a man of passion, courage, and devotion to making an eternal impact.”
—Tim Tebow
Actor James Woods expressed concern for Kirk’s safety while recalling their shared conversations at politically diverse venues.
“I enjoyed dinners with Charlie, but worried for his safety,”
Woods wrote.
“The left says they want ‘national conversations.’ Charlie Kirk actually did just that. In the lion’s den, no less, at left leaning venues, hoping facts and common sense would prevail.”
—James Woods
President Joe Biden echoed similar sentiments, declaring that violence has no place in America and praying for Kirk’s family.
“No place in our country for this kind of violence.”
—Joe Biden
“It must end now,”
Biden added on X.
“Praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
—Joe Biden
Former president George W. Bush condemned the attack, emphasizing the importance of preserving respectful political exchange on college campuses and throughout society.
“It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct,”
Bush said.
“Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.”
“May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God guide America toward civility.”
—George W. Bush
Broader Implications of the Controversy and Support Movement
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has sparked fundamental questions about the boundaries of political commentary and freedom of speech in the United States, especially regarding media figures. The intense backlash against Kimmel’s remarks and the subsequent network response reveal the fragile balance between expressing controversial opinions and navigating potential regulatory threats.
Jennifer Aniston’s participation alongside hundreds of other celebrities in defending Kimmel underscores the significance of protecting artistic and journalistic freedoms. The involvement of high-profile individuals from both entertainment and political spheres highlights how this incident resonates deeply across different facets of American society.
As ABC pre-empts Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely and Nexstar Media Group halts broadcasts on its affiliates, the future of the program remains uncertain. The situation also reflects broader cultural conflicts around speech, political violence, and media accountability.
With ongoing national conversations about political violence fueled by Charlie Kirk’s death, these developments are likely to continue influencing public discourse and media practices in the coming months.
Charlie Kirk, husband, father, friend, American, has been assassinated. His spirit, passion and message will live on. Prayers for his soul and his wife and children. pic.twitter.com/bGIimCVY3f
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) September 10, 2025
We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025
I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 10, 2025
Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.
— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) September 10, 2025
This isn’t my strong suit and I don’t even know how to begin to put into words the loss I am feeling right now over the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie wasn’t just a friend — he was like a little brother to me – and to millions of people around the world – he was a true…
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 10, 2025
My heart is with Charlie Kirk’s family, and with the United States.
Politics has become a disease in this country, and it’s deadly. But don’t listen to the pessimists who say there is no cure.
There is a cure. It is inside of us. We must find our better angels and walk back…
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 10, 2025
I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s murder. And I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully. Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 10, 2025
Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed.
Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and…
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) September 11, 2025
There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 10, 2025
Statement by President George W. Bush:
"Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct. Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public…
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) September 10, 2025
