Jennifer Aniston silent on Jimmy Kimmel firing as friends rally behind him
Insiders say Aniston wants to defend Kimmel but her team cautions that public backing could jeopardize her career as the late-night controversy unfolds.
Jennifer Aniston has not publicly commented on ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a move that followed host Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air remarks about the alleged shooter linked to Charlie Kirk and his assertion that MAGA supporters were attempting to weaponize the attack for political gain. People close to the situation say the Friends star remains supportive of Kimmel, but her representatives have urged restraint, warning that a public defense could trigger a backlash that might affect her own projects.
Insiders described Aniston as being “100 percent in his corner,” even as her team advocates quietness while the matter plays out in the public square. The caution comes as Kimmel’s show has been put on an indefinite hiatus by ABC, prompting reaction from across the political spectrum and curiosity about whether the pair’s long friendship can survive the moment.
Aniston and Kimmel have known each other for more than a decade. Their paths first crossed in 2012, when Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney invited Aniston’s then-partner Justin Theroux to their Los Angeles home. McNearney, who later married Kimmel in 2013 and served as head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for years, wrote in InStyle that Aniston felt immediately at ease—warming to the couple with a casual banter that included a lime picked from a tree and a frank discussion about The Bachelor. The friendship deepened over time, culminating in Kimmel officiating Aniston and Theroux’s 2015 wedding before their 2018 divorce.
The two have been regulars at each other’s circles, including Aniston’s annual Friendsgiving celebrations. A 2019 Friendsgiving post highlighted the close-knit group, with Aniston jokingly naming a dish after Kimmel: “Jimmy’s f**king enchiladas.” She later shared a video featuring Kimmel’s reaction to the moment. Their bond has endured through travels and shared getaways, from Tahiti in 2018 to pre-Thanksgiving gatherings that included Courteney Cox, Jason Bateman and their spouses, among others. A 2023 Instagram post from Aniston captured a summertime snapshot of the group on the beach, underscoring how intertwined their social lives remain.
Even as ihren friendship remains steadfast, the public disputes over Kimmel’s suspension have kept Aniston’s stance tightly under wraps. The decision by ABC to pull the show off air was met with a mix of criticism and concern, with some on the left arguing for supporting free expression while conservatives questioned the timing and rationale. The Federal Communications Commission chair indicated the possibility of an investigation into the network’s handling of the situation, adding to the sense that the matter extends beyond entertainment into broader political discourse.
Kimmel has kept a low profile since the announcement, while colleagues and friends weigh in privately. One of Aniston’s close circle, actor Jason Bateman, offered a measured response on NBC’s Today show, describing the period as troubling and suggesting that a collective response would emerge, without indicating that he felt compelled to lead it. Bateman said there would likely be conversations about how to respond, but he did not position himself as the lone voice to defend Kimmel publicly.
Aniston’s public record in recent years includes a mix of political and social engagement, often expressed through her substantial social media following. In 2020, she spoke out against President Donald Trump’s stance on the pandemic era and urged voting for Joe Biden, while in 2024 she used her platform to comment on Vice President candidates’ remarks about reproductive rights and IVF. In the months since the suspension, there has been no confirmed public statement from Aniston about Kimmel’s fate, consistent with her team’s caution about potential repercussions for her own career.
The Morning Show, in which Aniston stars, released its fourth season in September, further complicating the timing of any public statements. Her presence at premiere events and the ongoing rollout of the Apple TV+ series have kept her in the public eye, complicating any decision about weighing in on Kimmel’s situation. In the social arena, her friendship with Kimmel remains evident in frequent public sightings and past collaborations, though those ties have not translated into a public defense ahead of the show’s status.
Ultimately, Aniston’s silence sits at the intersection of loyalty to a close confidant and the practical considerations of a career that remains under intense scrutiny. Insiders indicate that while she would like to speak up, the risk-reward calculation at this moment leans toward restraint. The weekend and the weeks ahead are likely to shape how the friendship is publicly perceived and whether any official comment will emerge from Aniston or her representatives. The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s suspension is far from resolved, and the entertainment world will watch closely whether other figures within their circle will step forward or remain quiet in the face of ongoing political sensitivity.