Do you agree that“A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say,” ?

[msc545]

[lightbulb27]

Agree.

But this is about ability to say what you think to the public air waves... and if go back in history, people were not treating presidents this way. I don't recall suck humor about Truman during WWII, the bombing of Japan, etc.. why not? We changed a lot since then... in a bad way. Stretch the JK show a bit more and how about if we make AI generated fake videos of democrats or republicans being the idiots we think they are? That is free speech, but wrong and very bad.

Back up now to JK show... those edits and statements from a boob tube we are know mind control for many. Not an accurate reflection of what happened that day... if one watches the full press conferences. If you have not watched the full interviews were the snippets were taken or examined it further, it's a waste of time for me to talk.

So as society, we MUST get to a place where truth is told with some balance, removing the fake and lies. If we don't, we are finished and a lot of people will suffer and die for what is, no good reason. That's my opinion.

The problem is we've lost respect and honour, we are poorly trained. That reflects in whom we are electing for sure... there's more narcissists in power than ever I hear. They float to the top just like.

JK didn't tell the truth but he spun it that way that is his truth. ok fine, but this is a mind control environment. not just a comedian at this point.

And by removing the truth, a lot of people see it as true... which it's not.

This is why countries go communist... can't say anything bad. don't want to be NK or China... but we don't want to be a nation of A-holes either do we?

[msc545]

Inthe paast, Presidents didn't treat people the way this one does now.

[slatyb]

Absolutely. When a leader is able to suppress any criticism, it's no longer a free society, it's an authoritarian nightmare. We're living it, or will be any day now.

[MisterWack]

I believe a Constitutional Republic with Democratic Values and Principles must not allow The President of The United States of America to block or censor something just because it isn’t in good light of their persona or what will be their legacy.

Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air anyway so, doesn’t matter. This was all a ploy to get our attention and to distract us as usual which has always been a thing in politics though now it is more obvious than usual.

[DrPepper12]

If there is no protection for "offensive" speech then there is no free speech.

A society without satire, comedians pushing boundaries and UGLY, HORRIBLE, REPUGNANT, GROTESQUE speech is a society in stasis & decline.

It's ALL or NOTHING

[Danzigdawson]

Of course. Anyone who's ok with trump's censorship should drop the pretense of being in favor of democracy and freedom of speech.

[dustybiker2]

They don't like it. They just enjoy the pain inflicted. That is worse. imi

[Sevenpointfive]

no one should be silenced for anything even if it incites violence and hate

[Miristheiss]

Silence? Who is silencing? Kimmel is blaming Trump. The White House has plainly stated this was all ABC and the government had nothing to do with it.

[DrPepper12]

Umm... No. He & KKKaro-lyin both admitted it

[Twalli]

100%, any major figure has to realize that there will be jokes and ridicule at his expense in a free society.

[Ariesman81]

Well, I for one, am happy to see Democrats have finally started to condemn cancel culture. Good job Dems!👍🏻

[exitseven]

I also believe that you cannot yell "Fire" in a crowded theater.

[BonzoInBitburg]

You can if there's a fire

[msc545]

There is no fire and no crowded theater anywhere in this.

[Chazmatazz269]

Agreed, but you know that hasn’t happened. Right?

[ProbablyClueless]

I do agree with that. Thankfully, Trump had nothing to do with what happened to Kimmel. That was the advertisers

[msc545]

You seriously think the advertisers were not influenced by the FCC, which in turn was not influenced by Trump?

[ProbablyClueless]

I do believe that, for a number of reasons. Nexstar actually released a statement to a similar effect. www.msn.com/.../ar-AA1MQFog?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Advertising is ultimately about making money, and that requires getting your advertising in front of as many eyes as possible. If the American people felt the same way about Kirk as they did that healthcare CEO getting executed, Kimmel would have been fine. The problem was that Kimmel's comments upset people.

[Danzigdawson]

@ProbablyClueless Maybe, maybe not. It's a moot point. After all, trump was rejoicing, taking all the credit for Kimmel's cancellation and calling for more restraint on 'the left's freedom of expression.

[msc545]

Kimmel's comments upset Trump.

[goaded]

The Trump administration threatened to punish corporations using the power of the government if they didn't do what he wanted.

Now, not just ABC and Nexstar, any corporation that's looking for government approval of a merger or licence now knows they have to kowtow to Trump or risk losing huge amounts of money. Those things are no longer about whether what they say is in the public interest, it's about whether it's in Trump's interest.

by the way: "On August 19, 2025, Nexstar announced its intent to acquire Tegna for $6.2 billion... On September 17, 2025, Nexstar announced that it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its ABC stations."

[ProbablyClueless]

The people who actually made the decision to cancel Kimmel don’t think their decision has anything to do with Trump. They’re telling you what they think and their actions align with it; I suggest you believe them.

[goaded]

OK, let's pretend that you're a major corporation who's relying on the Trump administration to give the go-ahead to a $6bn takeover or leave you able to function. They've publicly talked about revoking licences for "being mean".

When you've done something really unpopular to make the administration happy and are asked "was it because of the administration?" do you answer:

(a) "Yes, we were afraid they'd block our $6bn merger/stop us from broadcasting"
(b) "No, of course not!"

Take your time.

[msc545]

I find them not believable.

[goaded]

Of course not.

[beefcakebradybatson]

D**N SKIPPY !!!

[Anonymous]

The comedians shouldn’t be allowed to lie.

[msc545]

Fine, in that case the politicians should not be allowed to lie either. That which should wipe out about 95% of Maga