September 22, 2025
Free Speech Attack-JACKED UP DAILY
In this episode, Jack and Tim discuss Free Speech and is it being attacked?
- Jimmy Kimmel's Remarks: On the September 15 episode, Kimmel criticized the "MAGA gang" for allegedly politicizing the tragedy by portraying the suspect as a "left-wing radical" rather than "one of them." He mocked Trump's grieving style, comparing it to "a four-year-old mourning a goldfish" after showing a clip of Trump discussing White House renovations amid condolences. Kimmel's quip: "We hit some new lows... desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them."
- ABC's Suspension and Backlash: ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air indefinitely on September 18, following threats from affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair to stop broadcasting. FCC Chair Brendan Carr called the comments "truly sick" and hinted at investigations, raising alarms about government overreach into broadcast content.
- President Trump's Response: During a joint presser with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 19, Trump dismissed the suspension as due to "bad ratings" while slamming Kimmel for saying "a horrible thing about a great gentleman." Trump tied it to broader free speech concerns, asking if it's "more under attack in Britain or America."
- First Amendment and Constitution Implications: Guests debate whether Kimmel's satire crosses into unprotected territory or exemplifies core First Amendment rights. We examine how the Constitution safeguards even offensive speech, contrasting it with calls for accountability amid national mourning. Dr. Rivera argues: "The Framers didn't protect polite discourse—they protected the messy, the provocative, to keep democracy alive."
