The White House Hunger Games: ThErE aRe No EpStEiN fILeS

[Swholli]

Yes it does

People are literally losing their livelihood as they get fired for making social media posts about Charlie Kirk, the exact opposite kind of cancel culture that he supposedly stood for, and free speech absolutists are worried about if they're allowed to say slurs

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[Swholli]

Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension Is an Escalation in Every Way

On Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel delivered an opening monologue on his talk show that addressed the online reaction to the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the primary suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. "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," he said. His comment was aimed not at Kirk but at the maelstrom of news around Kirk's death; it speaks ill not of the dead, but of "the MAGA gang." Less than two days later, Kimmel's program has been pulled off the air "indefinitely," according to his network, ABC.

But, like, for serious not trolling asking a honest-to-dog-question here: is this not the literal definition of censorship and cancel culture?

The Colbert one, sure, you can make (albeit weak) the argument that CBS saw the late night dip writing on the wall, but this is clearly a political action brought upon by a person in power (FCC chair) in the Annoying Orange Administration (FCC being a government org) canceling a show because it dared to say something that administration didn't like.

Even you numbnuts in here screaming about saying not being allowed to say slurs must see this as what it is. This has to cut through the bullstuff for you and finally pull the last cork out of the swamp, right?

[Foxscotch]

bro forget the 1st amendment

[Goth77]

People are literally losing their livelihood as they get fired for making social media posts about Charlie Kirk, the exact opposite kind of cancel culture that he supposedly stood for, and free speech absolutists are worried about if they're allowed to say slurs

thats not cancel culture, an employer can fire you for just about any reason they want, including but not limited to social media posts. do I agree with that? personally, no - but this is the sort of risk you run when you use your real name and information on a website such as facebook or x

Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension Is an Escalation in Every Way

But, like, for serious not trolling asking a honest-to-dog-question here: is this not the literal definition of censorship and cancel culture?

The Colbert one, sure, you can make (albeit weak) the argument that CBS saw the late night dip writing on the wall, but this is clearly a political action brought upon by a person in power (FCC chair) in the Annoying Orange Administration (FCC being a government org) canceling a show because it dared to say something that administration didn't like.

Even you numbnuts in here screaming about saying not being allowed to say slurs must see this as what it is. This has to cut through the bullstuff for you and finally pull the last cork out of the swamp, right?

Now this on the other hand, is a slightly different situation. I never liked Kimmel & hardly ever watched his garbage late show, but I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind. Realistically though, he was employed by a network who follows FCC guidelines - they didn't like what he said so they suspended him. Again, an employer can fire or suspend you for just about whatever reason they want. Maybe he should start his own podcast or independent show where he can say what he wants without a big name network breathing down his neck.

[Kore]

bro forget the 1st amendment

The masculine urge to say the N word.

[Swholli]

thats not cancel culture, an employer can fire you for just about any reason they want, including but not limited to social media posts. do I agree with that? personally, no - but this is the sort of risk you run when you use your real name and information on a website such as facebook or x

So then Gina Carano and that teacher in Virginia, both of whom won their "wrongful termination" suits, are actually not victims of cancel culture after all? Glad we can finally come together as a country on that issue, I know it was dividing us for such a long time.

Now this on the other hand, is a slightly different situation. I never liked Kimmel & hardly ever watched his garbage late show, but I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind. Realistically though, he was employed by a network who follows FCC guidelines - they didn't like what he said so they suspended him. Again, an employer can fire or suspend you for just about whatever reason they want. Maybe he should start his own podcast or independent show where he can say what he wants without a big name network breathing down his neck.

Youre mixing apples and tear gas here. The FCC isnt a boss with an HR department, its a federal agency that my taxes pay for. They dont decide which hosts ABC keeps or suspends. Disney and ABC are the ones who pulled Kimmel, not the FCC. Pretending "well, his employer can do whatever they want" is missing the point: his employer only did it after political pressure from the FCC chair, which makes it a government-driven punishment for speech. Thats not a private HR issue, thats the state leaning on media. Exactly the kind of authoritarianism conservatives pretend to be terrified of when its anyone but their guy in power.

If you defend this, just know, you are defending demonstrable infringement on freedoms of speech and expression way, way, way more important than Mod-man being allowed to say the N-word with his homies.

[Goth77]

If you defend this, just know, you are defending demonstrable infringement on freedoms of speech and expression way, way, way more important than Mod-man being allowed to say the N-word with his homies.

I didn't defend it? as a matter of fact I did the opposite when I said

do I agree with that? personally, no

and

I certainly don't think it should be taken off air for speaking his mind

The FCC isnt a boss with an HR department, its a federal agency that my taxes pay for. They dont decide which hosts ABC keeps or suspends. Disney and ABC are the ones who pulled Kimmel, not the FCC. Pretending "well, his employer can do whatever they want" is missing the point: his employer only did it after political pressure from the FCC chair, which makes it a government-driven punishment for speech. Thats not a private HR issue, thats the state leaning on media. Exactly the kind of authoritarianism conservatives pretend to be terrified of when its anyone but their guy in power.

I understand that, but you're missing the big picture

As F.C.C. chair, Mr. Carr wields power over the broadcast licenses that are granted to local TV stations by the federal government

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/business/media/abc-jimmy-kimmel.html

The FCC's sole existence is to regulate what is considered "suitable" for broadcast television & radio. I'm not a fan of any sort of government regulation but the fact remains that it exists, and the networks who receive federal funding are obligated to follow their 'rules'. whatever they may be....

so if Kimmel really cares about getting his voice out there, he might want to consider starting an independent show or podcast that isn't on a network regulated by the federal government.

[CM1107ProjectInfinium]

i usually look at stuff in passing and go this is stupid and dumb and itll never pass nothing ever happens etc etc but deadass im a lil scared guys i wont lie. can stuff stop happening please !!!

[bloody jumper]

i usually look at stuff in passing and go this is stupid and dumb and itll never pass nothing ever happens etc etc but deadass im a lil scared guys i wont lie. can stuff stop happening please !!!

it used to be that way, now it seems like things are getting worse and they're not gonna get any better. half of the country is cheering these things on, and it's really scary and depressing. just try to focus on the ones you care about in your life, and keep your eyes off the news feeds. it'll preserve what's left of your sanity.

[Swholli]

You say:

I didn't defend it? as a matter of fact I did the opposite when I said

Yet you immediately follow with:

The FCC's sole existence is to regulate what is considered "suitable" for broadcast television & radio. I'm not a fan of any sort of government regulation but the fact remains that it exists, and the networks who receive federal funding are obligated to follow their 'rules'. whatever they may be....

What, uh, what rule was broken that the FCC is enforcing? Kimmel said nothing hateful, inflammatory, he didn't shout 'fire' in a building, he didn't threaten anyone, he didn't even use a "naughty word" to bleep.

Defending this decision is saying something like:

so if Kimmel really cares about getting his voice out there, he might want to consider starting an independent show or podcast that isn't on a network regulated by the federal government.

Every communications network in our country is regulated by the FCC or the FTC. There isn't anywhere Kimmel could go where he wouldn't be immediately a target of getting shut down. Kimmel will survive, he very well may get another show, but the point is fear. Fear that anything you say on air will get you taken off, lose you your job and your livelihood.

The founders put the first amendment into place exactly because of issues like this. The crown controlled printing, if you said something in a pamphlet criticizing the king you had your printing license revoked and were charged with libel.

This is a pretty cut and dry instance, you can say "yeah this is wrong" without the "but [x,y,z]," and be fine with it. Adding anything else on is defending the action. Either it's wrong or it isn't.

I'm not a constitutional scholar, but I'm pretty sure this is about as clear cut an example of free speech violation as you can get.