The White House has rejected claims from former President Barack Obama that the Trump administration influenced ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Obama accused the current administration of using media regulation to silence criticism, following Kimmel’s controversial comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded by saying the decision to pull the show was made only by ABC execs and had no input from the White House. She emphasized that President Trump was abroad during the network’s action and only learned about it later.
Leavitt also said the suspension stemmed from Kimmel spreading what she called “misinformation” during a period of national mourning, and insisted the move was not politically driven but a consequence of the host’s remarks.
The disagreement has triggered debate over media freedom, political influence in broadcasting decisions, and the role of government versus private networks in regulating controversial speech.