Whoopi Goldberg: 'No one silences us' as The View addresses Kimmel suspension

ABC's The View broke its silence Monday on the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, with host Whoopi Goldberg declaring, 'No one silences us.' The daytime panel had been unusually quiet last week as ABC pulled 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following Kimmel's remarks about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, remarks that drew criticism from the FCC and others.

Goldberg said the show 'took a breath' to see if Kimmel would address the issue publicly, noting, 'We did the same thing with Stephen Colbert.' She added that Friday's show was taped, but Monday's episode would address it live as they 'get into it now.'

The conversation on Monday largely centered on free speech and the FCC's response to Kimmel's remarks. The View's co-hosts — including Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin — had not addressed the matter during Thursday's episode, which was pre-taped, or on Friday's program, drawing attention from media observers and viewers online. Former and current personalities in and around the network weighed in on the silence, and the discussion signaled a shift from the show's usual early-week format.

Fox News Digital reported that The View could address the Kimmel situation if there were new developments this week, and the co-hosts were slated to interview former Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday about her new book, '107 Days.'

Kimmel's suspension stemmed from remarks in which he suggested Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter was part of the 'MAGA gang,' a characterization that drew swift criticism from the FCC and prompted two major ABC affiliate owners to yank the program. Kimmel reportedly did not want to apologize for his comments and planned to defend them on Wednesday's episode before Disney decided to pull the show. The move underscored the balancing act networks face between pointed political commentary and regulatory scrutiny.

Comedian Bill Maher, appearing on Real Time, expressed empathy for Kimmel and drew a parallel to his own history with the network. '24 years to the day that I made comments on ABC that got me canceled from that network, and Jimmy Kimmel took my slot,' Maher quipped, highlighting how cancel culture narratives have evolved and persisted across decades. Maher also offered a poke at Disney, suggesting that the company has become known for its internal pressures rather than open-air debate.

The silence from The View's co-hosts sparked reaction from fans and observers online, with some viewers accusing the panel of avoiding a controversial topic due to corporate concerns. Others argued that the show has long positioned itself as a platform for open discussion, even on sensitive topics. The debate touched on the broader tension in media between free speech protections, corporate branding, and regulatory expectations — a tension that has become a recurring feature of the current media landscape.

As the episode unfolded, The View reiterated its remit as a daytime program that mixes entertainment with current events, while also acknowledging the ongoing controversy surrounding Kimmel's remarks and the network's decision to remove his show from the schedule. The exchange underscored how entertainment programs navigate political discourse in a climate where regulatory scrutiny and brand risk can influence editorial choices. The live moment on Monday served as a test of the show's commitment to addressing major headlines head-on, even when those headlines involve the network behind the cameras.

In the coming days, the industry will watch how The View and similar programs balance their staffing, editorial decisions, and the expectations of a broad audience that tunes in for both conversation and culture. The intersection of entertainment, politics, and regulation remains unsettled, and this week’s developments illustrate how much the media landscape continues to be shaped by conversations about free speech, accountability, and the responsibilities of hosts and networks alike.