SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and More Condemn ABC’s Decision to Pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Unions were among those reacting after Jimmy Kimmel‘s late-night talk show was pulled by ABC indefinitely following his comments about the death of right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, a spokesperson for Disney’s ABC confirmed to PEOPLE that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be on indefinite hiatus after host Kimmel, 57, said of the 22-year-old charged with killing Kirk during his show on Monday, “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

After ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show was revealed, labor unions including the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) spoke out against the network’s move.

It said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “SAG-AFTRA condemns the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“Our society depends on freedom of expression. Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on,” the statement added. “Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed.”

“The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms,” the union continued.

“SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them,” it concluded.

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) insisted the organization “stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers.”

The union said in a statement, “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people. It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice.”

“As a Guild, we stand united in opposition to anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent,” the statement added. “If free speech applied only to ideas we like, we needn’t have bothered to write it into the Constitution. What we have signed on to – painful as it may be at times – is the freeing agreement to disagree.”

“Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world,” it continued.

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi also said in a statement posted online, “This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC [Federal Communications Commission] identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.”

“This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air,” the union added, noting that the show employed musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach,” Gagliardi added.

After news that Kimmel’s show had been pulled emerged, President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.”

“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible,” he added.

Trump also took aim at late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers in his reaction, writing, “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”

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Celebrities including Ben Stiller, Sophia Bush, Don Lemon, Kathy Griffin and Wanda Sykes were also among those reacting to the news that Kimmel’s show had been pulled.

Comedian Sykes, 61, shared a video on Instagram and explained that she was due to appear on the show on Wednesday.

“Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy,” Sykes said.

Meanwhile, Stiller wrote on X, “This isn’t right.”