Pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo has publicly expressed her strong disapproval regarding the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC, calling it a “blatant censorship and abuse of power.” The 22-year-old artist voiced her frustrations on social media on Saturday, September 20, stating, “I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.” Rodrigo’s stance comes after the network’s decision to suspend the show following controversial remarks made by Kimmel during a monologue concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Rodrigo’s comments are in direct alignment with those of SAG-AFTRA,the prominent union representing approximately 160,000 media professionals, including actors, dancers, and recording artists. Earlier the same week, SAG-AFTRA had publicly condemned ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, for what it described as an attack on fundamental free expression. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 17, the organization emphasized, “Our society depends on freedom of expression.” It further stated that “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.

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Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed.” SAG-AFTRA concluded its statement by asserting that “The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live!is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms. 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.”

The pushback against Kimmel’s suspension is not limited to Olivia Rodrigo alone, with country singer Margo Price also making a symbolic protest. On Tuesday, September 16, just one day before ABC announced the suspension, Price performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, singing her song “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down.” Her Instagram caption accompanying a clip of the performance read, “If this was the last word, I’m glad it was mine,” a powerful message given the subsequent events. During her performance, she pointedly sang, “Keep all them fascists underground.”

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The indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!came after Kimmel’s monologue, during which he addressed the assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA. Kimmel had stated on air, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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.” This monologue immediately sparked significant backlash.

Nexstar, which operates 28 NBC-affiliated local stations, announced it would remove Kimmel’s program from its schedule. Concurrently, FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly denounced Kimmel’s remarks, characterizing them as “news distortion” and “the sickest conduct possible,” and even threatened to revoke the licenses of any affiliates that broadcast the controversial segment.