--- title: Kimmel Suspension Echoes Maher Fallout—With 1 Big Difference description: Jimmy Kimmel's suspension is similar to the fallout over Bill Maher's comments after 9/11. The difference is Trump is President, not George W Bush canonical: https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/ author: Philip Elliott article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-09-18T21:26:56.000Z article:modified_time: 2025-09-21T17:12:34.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Kimmel Suspension Echoes Maher Fallout—With 1 Big Difference og:description: The Bush Administration never publicly threatened ABC's business over Maher's comments. og:url: https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt30374eb57fdfca9f/6998c9ded32e9339ebcd7579/bill-maher-jimmy-kimmel.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2400 og:image:height: 1350 og:image:alt: bill maher jimmy kimmel og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Kimmel Suspension Echoes Maher Fallout—With 1 Big Difference twitter:description: The Bush Administration never publicly threatened ABC's business over Maher's comments. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt30374eb57fdfca9f/6998c9ded32e9339ebcd7579/bill-maher-jimmy-kimmel.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Jimmy Kimmel's Silencing Echoes Bill Maher's After 9/11—But Trump Is No Bush > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=6c8e8215-7329-4509-93dc-6949679cddda&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | Source: TIME, August 2026. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=6c8e8215-7329-4509-93dc-6949679cddda&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=6c8e8215-7329-4509-93dc-6949679cddda&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=6c8e8215-7329-4509-93dc-6949679cddda&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Trump and FCC Chair Look to Tighten the Screw on Other Shows [Watch (HLS stream): Trump and FCC Chair Look to Tighten the Screw on Other Shows](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/HHb7y2XN.m3u8) (2:13)  _Published 2025-09-19. ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has prompted accusations of censorship by the Trump Administration after the decision appeared to have been influenced by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who said that “licensed broadcasters” should “push back” and refuse to air Kimmel’s show lest they face “the possibility of fines or license revocations from the FCC.” But the Administration only appears more emboldened to pursue what experts have described as a media suppression strategy, and Carr may already have his next target._  by [Philip Elliott](https://time.com/author/philip-elliott/)  ## Philip Elliott Senior Correspondent Updated: Sep 21, 2025 5:12 PM UTCPublished: Sep 18, 2025 9:26 PM UTC  Bill Maher during the taping of the final episode of ABC's "Politically Incorrect"; Jimmy Kimmel during an episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Bill Maher during the taping of the final episode of ABC's "Politically Incorrect"; Jimmy Kimmel during an episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"Nick Ut—AP; Randy Holmes—Disney/Getty Images  by [Philip Elliott](https://time.com/author/philip-elliott/)  ## Philip Elliott Senior Correspondent Updated: Sep 21, 2025 5:12 PM UTCPublished: Sep 18, 2025 9:26 PM UTC _This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIME’s politics newsletter. Sign up_ [_here_](https://cloud.newsletters.time.com/signup?nln=dc-brief&source=dc%5Fonsite) _to get stories like this sent to your inbox._ During his Inaugural address, Trump vowed to “immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.” Grind ahead eight months and we have late-night jokesters caught up in a government gulag of autocratic opinion. First, CBS announced it was canceling Stephen Colbert’s nightly roast from New York, nixing the entire _Late Show_ franchise. Now, ABC has “indefinitely” [suspended](https://time.com/7318177/jimmy-kimmel-live-preempt-indefinitely-abc-nexstar-fcc-kirk-trump/) host Jimmy Kimmel for comments about the [assassination](https://time.com/7317634/tyler-robinson-death-penalty-charlie-kirk-charges-murder/) of conservative activist 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,” the host said, imprudently assigning motive in a case before more information was available. He then poked fun at footage of Trump’s reaction before reporters to the horrific murder, which was to quickly pivot to bragging about a White House construction project. The reaction from the Trump Administration was quick and intense. Federal Communications Commission [Brendan Carr](https://time.com/7318661/jimmy-kimmel-cancelled-trump-fired-colbert/) told a conservative podcaster that his agency could pursue action against ABC because of Kimmel’s comments. Carr followed up on Fox News with a threat to pull broadcast licenses for station owners who are insufficiently MAGA. By Wednesday, Kimmel’s bosses at ABC—owned by Disney—decided to yank him without a definite return date. While dining at Windsor Castle with the British Royal Family, President Donald Trump was demanding other networks similarly can their late-night hosts who use him as a punchline. “That leaves Jimmy \[Fallon\] and Seth \[Meyers\], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump has been testing the limits of his power during this second term with abandon. Trump landed millions in cash from ABC and CBS for lawsuits seen as garbage by First Amendment lawyers. CBS agreed to change its interview presentations because Trump said editors protected 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. And he has sued newspapers for printing less-than-flattering accounts of his record. If this all feels a little familiar, it should. In fact, Kimmel’s time slot on ABC freed up more than 20 years ago soon after another host got canceled for not hewing to the accepted script. Bill Maher’s _Politically Incorrect_ got targeted by advertisers and the White House itself in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks for criticizing U.S. foreign policy. “We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away,” Maher said. “That’s cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it’s not cowardly.” Maher's remark sparked a public backlash, with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer saying saying "it's a terrible thing to say." But at no point did the Bush Administration publicly threaten ABC's business. In Kimmel’s silencing, some in the MAGAverse see another win against an intolerant Left. Trump’s orbit has mined victimization for political gain and rallied against so-called Cancel Culture, all while leveraging it to punish anyone who doesn’t match pitch in their hymnals. A mob-driven spreadsheet is circulating in the cesspool of the Internet for anyone who has even been mid in condemning the craven killing of Kirk. The platform formerly known as X and its owner Elon Musk have called for the firing of anyone deemed insufficiently grieving of Kirk. The calls for retribution are not constrained to the fringes, and now whole shows are getting the axe. All because Trump has thin skin and his cogs of government bureaucracy are happy to give him cover. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One late Thursday, Trump [suggested](https://youtu.be/JqUAyCbKtp4?si=ccGCBilX0cdhQsKJ&t=477) the retaliation would continue against networks with too much negative coverage of him. “I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr,” he said. We’re still figuring out the full impact of Kirk’s killing. He has become something of a martyr for the conservative Right, an avatar for the MAGA movement, and a symbol of resistance against wokeness. This much is clear, though: the political moment is one ripe for exploitation, and Trump is milking it. While Sarah Palin was [happy](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snl-sarah-palin-and-hillary-clinton-address-the-nation-fey-poehler) to poke fun at herself on _SNL_ during the 2008 campaign, Hillary Clinton did the same in 2016, and Harris made a visit to the set in the final push toward Election Day last year, Trump today has one remedy ready: to grab the national clicker and turn the power off. Networks—as they were after 9/11—believed they needed to drape themselves in patriotic bunting and blunt political comments, let alone jokes at the President’s expense. No one should be laughing. _Make sense of what matters in Washington._ [_Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter_](https://cloud.newsletters.time.com/signup?nln=dc-brief&source=dc%5Fonsite)_._ ## Transcript There's a very concerted effort to try to lie to the American people about the nature, as you indicate, of one of the most significant, uh, newsworthy public interest acts that we've seen in a long time. And what appears to be an action appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into that narrative that this was somehow a Maga or Republican motivated person, if that's what happened here with his conduct, that is that is really, really sick. I've been very clear from the moment that I have become chairman of the FCC, I want to reinvigorate the public interest in what people don't understand is that the broadcasters and you've gotten this right, are entirely different than people that use other forms of communication. They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest. And we can get into some ways that we've been trying to reinvigorate the public interest and some changes that we've seen. But frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead. Well, you know, when a late night host is on network television, there is a licensing. I'll give you an example. I read someplace that the networks were 97% against me. I got 97% negative. And yet I won and easily won. All seven swing states won everything. And if they're 97% against, they give me only bad publicity or press. I mean, they're getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It would be up to Brendan Carr. I think Brendan Carr is outstanding. He's a patriot. He loves our country and he's a tough guy. So we'll have to see. But when you think about this, 97% of the stories are opposed to me. And yet I win easily the election. It's pretty amazing when you think of it. That shows they have no credibility. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/"},"headline":"Jimmy Kimmel's Silencing Echoes Bill Maher's After 9/11—But Trump Is No Bush","datePublished":"2025-09-18T21:26:56.000Z","dateModified":"2025-09-21T17:12:34.000Z","description":"If this all feels a little familiar, it should.","url":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/","keywords":["The D.C. Brief","Donald Trump"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt30374eb57fdfca9f/6998c9ded32e9339ebcd7579/bill-maher-jimmy-kimmel.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Philip Elliott","jobTitle":"Senior Correspondent","url":"https://time.com/author/philip-elliott/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt30374eb57fdfca9f/6998c9ded32e9339ebcd7579/bill-maher-jimmy-kimmel.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"bill maher jimmy kimmel","caption":"Bill Maher during the taping of the final episode of ABC's \"Politically Incorrect\"; Jimmy Kimmel during an episode of \"Jimmy Kimmel Live!\"","creditText":"Nick Ut—AP; Randy Holmes—Disney/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/the-dc-brief/","name":"The D.C. Brief"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/","name":"Jimmy Kimmel's Silencing Echoes Bill Maher's After 9/11—But Trump Is No Bush"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Trump and FCC Chair Look to Tighten the Screw on Other Shows","description":"ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has prompted accusations of censorship by the Trump Administration after the decision appeared to have been influenced by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who said that “licensed broadcasters” should “push back” and refuse to air Kimmel’s show lest they face “the possibility of fines or license revocations from the FCC.” But the Administration only appears more emboldened to pursue what experts have described as a media suppression strategy, and Carr may already have his next target.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HHb7y2XN/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2025-09-19T16:48:45.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/HHb7y2XN.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/","duration":"PT2M13S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/7318666/jimmy-kimmel-firing-trump-bill-maher/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```