After days of speculation, the hosts of “The View” broke their silence on the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” during their September 22 broadcast. Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin finally addressed ABC’s decision, with Goldberg explaining that the panel chose to “take a breath” before weighing in.
“Did y’all really think we were not gonna talk about Jimmy Kimmel? Have you watched the show over the last 29 seasons? You know, no one silences us,” she told the audience, drawing loud applause.
Whoopi Goldberg Sets the Tone
Goldberg reminded viewers that while shows can face consequences, freedom of speech is a principle worth discussing. “You can not like a show and it can go off the air,” she said. “Someone can say something they shouldn’t and get taken off the air. But the government can not apply pressure to force someone to be silenced.”
Ana Navarro Thanks Loyal Viewers
Navarro took a moment to acknowledge the show’s fans. “For me, I want to start by thanking our loyal viewers for demanding truth and courage from us. You deserve it and we will give it to you,” she said.
She admitted it was troubling to see a tragedy spark conversations about silencing voices. “The part that I don’t understand that is so ironic to me is how the horrible, senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk… is being used to silence people and cancel people,” Navarro continued.
A Call for Open Dialogue
Farah Griffin encouraged the audience to think about the larger message behind the suspension. “Think about the precedent it sets down the road,” she said. Hostin also reminded viewers that the importance of free expression goes beyond one talk show.
Open Letter Defends Free Speech Amid Kimmel Suspension
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)In a powerful open letter, supporters of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” condemned the show’s suspension, calling it “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.” The statement accused government officials of threatening the livelihoods of “journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board” in an attempt to silence criticism.
It also highlighted the impact on teachers, researchers, students, and other professionals, urging Americans of all backgrounds to stand united. “If it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us,” the letter read, encouraging people to join the ACLU in defending constitutionally protected rights.
Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and more stars signed the letter, as per a report in People.
