Howard Stern blasts ABC suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, cancels Disney+

Howard Stern on Monday leveled a broad attack at ABC for suspending Jimmy Kimmel, calling the move government-backed censorship and saying he canceled his Disney+ subscription in protest.

Stern opened his SiriusXM show by saying he could no longer stay quiet about what he described as a troubling pattern of political pressure shaping media decisions. He referred to Kimmel, a longtime friend, as a major talent and urged listeners to recognize what he framed as a broader threat to free speech when a government or government-adjacent influence appears to steer editorial choices. “I can no longer keep my mouth shut,” Stern said, adding that he felt obligated to speak out as he watched what he called a dangerous development unfold in real time. “This involves the network ABC. They did something really dumb and f--kin’ horrible.”

Kimmel’s late-night program was suspended indefinitely last week after he compared an alleged killer tied to the MAGA movement with the movement’s supporters, a remark that drew sharp criticism from political figures and media critics alike. The White House publicly applauded the suspension, and President Donald Trump urged NBC to sideline Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers as well. Stern framed the move as part of a broader pattern of broadcasters yielding to political pressure, saying many in the industry have “bent the knee” and caved to threats.

[IMAGE: ]

Stern’s reaction drew on his own long history with FCC scrutiny and regulatory pressure. In the 1990s, his morning show became a national lightning rod for indecency concerns, prompting Infinity Broadcasting, his syndication partner, to pay more than $2.5 million in fines between 1990 and 2004. A 1995 settlement wiped out dozens of pending cases, which Stern later called “the biggest shakedown in history.” He also noted that after the 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction incident, Clear Channel pulled his program from several markets, a move that helped push him to satellite radio. In 2006, Stern signed a lucrative deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, effectively ending his public-airwave run and entrenching his stance as a champion of uncensored expression.

On Monday, Stern argued that the current pressure campaign against Kimmel bore the same hallmarks as past regulatory assaults, suggesting that the same forces—government pressure and the fear of punishment—were once again stifling a prominent voice. “They all bent the knee and they all cower,” he said, contending that broadcasters and universities alike capitulated when confronted with political threats. While not explicitly calling for boycotts, Stern said his own provocative step—cancelling his Disney+ subscription—was intended to send a signal that people should push back when confronted with intimidation.

Carr’s remarks, which warned of possible FCC action against Kimmel, were noted by Stern as a warning shot that he described as a threat to free speech. The FCC commissioner’s comments drew sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Some Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul, criticized Carr’s language as inappropriate or improper interference in private media decisions, while others warned that government guidance could chill expression. Legal experts noted that the FCC’s authority to censor programming content is limited, and a number characterized Carr’s comments as jawboning—an informal pressure tactic that regulators have historically discouraged.

Stern also invoked his own experience as a cautionary tale. He reminded listeners that the fight over decency standards has shaped media for decades, sometimes forcing shows off the air or out of certain markets. He said the present episode should be viewed as a test of whether the press and entertainment industries will stand firm when confronted with political pressure from the highest levels of government.

[IMAGE: ]

Disney has offered no timetable for Kimmel’s return, and executives have signaled that the network is weighing the political ramifications of the suspension. People familiar with the discussions say Disney’s leadership—CEO Bob Iger and content chief Dana Walden—decided to sideline Kimmel after reviewing a planned monologue that insiders feared could escalate tensions. The network has faced pressure from affiliates and other media outlets that preempted the program in the interim.

Industry observers note the distinctive contrast between Stern’s stance and the network’s approach. Whereas Stern frames the move as an unambiguous threat to free expression, Disney and ABC have portrayed the suspension as a temporary, precautionary measure amid political controversy. The White House’s public endorsement of the suspension and the recognition from some lawmakers have further complicated the debate about where lines should be drawn between responsible governance and censorship.

Beyond the Kimmel episode, the episode has reignited a broader conversation about the balance between free speech and public accountability in media. Critics argue that government officials should not dictate or influence editorial decisions, while supporters of the suspension contend that public figures must be held responsible for inflammatory rhetoric targeting political opponents.

As the situation continues to unfold, observers will watch whether ABC revises its stance, when Kimmel might return, and how Stern’s outspoken stance might influence other media figures and outlets that are weighing similar pressures. Stern closed his Monday show with a call for vigilance: each citizen, he said, has a role in guarding the rights and freedoms that underpin democratic discourse, including the right to criticize media decisions without fear of reprisal.

[IMAGE: ]