Did Jimmy Kimmel Praise ABC for Firing Roseanne Barr in 2018?
Jimmy Kimmel’s 2018 comments on Roseanne Barr’s firing have resurfaced amid his own indefinite suspension from Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2025, raising questions about his history of supporting controversial cancellations and the irony of his current predicament.
Here's the TLDR...
Kimmel on Roseanne’s Firing: In 2018, Kimmel called ABC’s decision to cancel Roseanne after Barr’s racist tweet “the right thing,” praising the network’s swift action.
Other Cancellations: Kimmel appeared to endorse the deplatforming of Donald Trump in 2021 and Kanye West in 2022, framing them as consequences for harmful rhetoric.
Why Kimmel Was Suspended: ABC suspended Kimmel in 2025 not due to Trump or FCC pressure but because advertisers and affiliates, led by Nexstar, objected to his Charlie Kirk comments, and Disney executives failed to rein in his provocative humor.
Kimmel’s Kirk Remarks: He implied the shooter, Tyler Robinson, was MAGA-aligned, mocking efforts to distance the killer from the movement, prompting Nexstar to preempt his show.
Current Climate: Dozens have been fired for social media posts about Kirk’s death, reflecting a broader crackdown on inflammatory speech.
ABC’s Trump Tensions: Past clashes, including a $15 million defamation settlement in 2024, highlight the network’s fraught relationship with Trump allies.
Did Jimmy Kimmel Really Praise ABC for Firing Roseanne Barr in 2018?
On May 29, 2018, Roseanne Barr’s rebooted sitcom Roseanne was canceled by ABC after she tweeted a racist remark comparing former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett to an ape.
In his Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue that night, Kimmel addressed the controversy directly: “Roseanne Barr tweeted something so racist and so disgusting that even our president, who’s no stranger to racist tweets himself, was like, ‘Whoa, take it easy!’”
He went on to praise ABC’s decision, saying, “I want to say kudos to my bosses at ABC for doing the right thing and canceling Roseanne’s show today. It’s not an easy thing to do when a show is successful, but it’s the right thing.” Kimmel’s comments, verified via transcripts from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, show he supported the network’s swift action, framing it as a moral necessity despite the show’s strong ratings.
Barr would later go on to apologize, but was never reinstated at ABC.
Kimmel’s Stance on Other High-Profile Cancellations
Kimmel’s 2018 remarks weren’t an isolated case. In January 2021, after Twitter banned then-President Donald Trump following the Capitol riot, Kimmel quipped on air, “I’m not saying it’s a good day when anyone gets kicked off Twitter, but if you’re going to spread dangerous lies and incite violence, maybe you don’t get to keep your megaphone.” His tone suggested approval of the deplatforming.
Similarly, in October 2022, when Kanye West faced backlash for antisemitic comments and lost major brand deals, Kimmel commented, “Kanye’s learning the hard way that words have consequences, and I’m not crying over his Adidas deal going bye-bye.” These instances, sourced from Variety and CNN, highlight Kimmel’s pattern of endorsing cancellations when he viewed the targets’ actions as harmful.
Why Was Jimmy Kimmel Suspended? The Real Reasons Behind ABC’s Decision
Fast-forward to September 2025, and Kimmel finds himself on the other side of cancellation. ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after his Monday monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder killed the previous week.
Contrary to speculation, the suspension wasn’t driven by Donald Trump or FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, though Carr criticized Kimmel’s remarks as “irresponsible.” Instead, the decision stemmed from advertiser backlash and pressure from Nexstar Media Group, which operates over 200 ABC affiliates.
Disney executives, per Deadline, had urged Kimmel to tone down his political humor in recent months, citing declining ad revenue and affiliate discontent. Kimmel’s refusal to comply, coupled with his latest controversy, forced ABC’s hand.
What Jimmy Kimmel Said About Charlie Kirk: The Monologue That Sparked Outrage
In his Monday monologue, Kimmel addressed Kirk’s death somberly at first: “Welcome, thank you for joining us here in Los Angeles, the second largest city in our bitterly divided nation where, like the rest of the country, we’re still trying to wrap our heads around the senseless murder of the popular podcaster and conservative activist Charlie Kirk yesterday.”
But he quickly pivoted to sarcasm, saying, “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.” Kimmel also condemned social media vitriol: “I’ve seen a lot of extraordinarily vile responses to this from both sides of the political spectrum. Some people are cheering this, which is something I won’t ever understand.”
His implication that shooter Tyler Robinson was MAGA-aligned, despite evidence of Robinson’s leftist views, drew ire. Nexstar, calling the remarks “offensive and insensitive,” refused to air the episode, preempting it in 40% of U.S. markets.
Nexstar’s Role: How Affiliates Forced ABC to Act
Nexstar’s statement was unequivocal: “Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming.” The affiliate group’s decision, reported by BBC, disrupted Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s reach, as advertisers like Procter & Gamble and AT&T reportedly threatened to pull funding.
Disney, ABC’s parent company, faced a financial squeeze, with insiders telling The Wrap that executives saw suspension as the only way to appease affiliates and advertisers while avoiding a full cancellation.
The Current Climate: Firings Over Charlie Kirk Comments and Free Speech Debates
Kirk’s assassination has sparked a broader crackdown on speech. Over 30 individuals have been fired for social media posts mocking or celebrating his death, per Fox Business. Companies like Nasdaq, Delta Air Lines, and Perkins Coie disciplined employees for posts deemed inappropriate, with Delta citing its “respectful workplace” policy.
Vice President JD Vance has encouraged reporting such posts, stating, “Those who celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death should face consequences.” Critics, including labor advocates quoted by PBS, argue this chills free expression, especially when posts condemn violence but critique Kirk’s polarizing views on guns and LGBTQ+ issues.
ABC’s Previous Tussles with Trump: A Pattern of Conflict
ABC’s history with Donald Trump adds context to Kimmel’s suspension. In December 2024, the network settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump for $15 million after anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed Trump was found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll case. ABC issued a regret note, per NPR. In June 2025, correspondent Terry Moran was fired for calling Trump “a world-class hater” on social media, violating objectivity standards. These clashes, driven by Trump’s criticism of mainstream media as “the enemy,” highlight ABC’s struggle to navigate a conservative-leaning regulatory and advertiser ecosystem.
What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel Live!: A Return or Permanent End?
Kimmel’s suspension raises questions about the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a staple since 2003 with multiple Emmy wins. Will he apologize to appease advertisers and affiliates, or has his defiance crossed a line? Nexstar markets are airing reruns, and Variety reports declining late-night viewership may pressure ABC to rethink the show’s format. Kimmel’s 2018 praise for Barr’s firing now feels ironic, as he faces the same corporate axe he once applauded.
Hat Tips
The Hollywood Reporter for Kimmel’s 2018 Roseanne monologue transcript: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-kimmel-roseanne-barr-cancellation-1115432/
Variety for Kimmel’s Trump and Kanye comments: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-trump-twitter-ban-1234883921/
CNN for Kimmel’s Kanye West remarks: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/26/entertainment/jimmy-kimmel-kanye-west
Deadline on Disney’s attempts to rein in Kimmel: https://deadline.com/2025/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-disney-execs-warning-1236523987/
The Wrap for Kimmel’s Kirk monologue transcript: https://www.thewrap.com/exactly-what-jimmy-kimmel-said-charlie-kirk/
BBC on Nexstar’s statement: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c203n52x1y9o
Fox Business for corporate firings: https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/8-employers-fired-staff-mocking-charlie-kirks-assassination
NPR on ABC’s Trump settlement: https://www.npr.org/2024/12/16/nx-s1-5230274/abc-settles-with-trump-for-15-million
PBS on free speech debates: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/free-speech-or-workplace-violations
Compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs for Pirates & Princesses.