Ruffalo warns US could resemble Taliban under government 'fascist regime' as Kimmel suspension sparks debate

Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo said the United States could be headed toward living under a Taliban-like regime, arguing that government actions were eroding free speech as ABC and Disney suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live.

"This cancellation is the U.S. government coming and taking your voice away from you," Ruffalo said. "It is the U.S. government that is now suppressing the freedom of speech. It is the U.S. government, not your neighbors, not someone on social media. It is the government doing it now." He added, "And that's where we all have to come together, because authoritarian regimes, fascist regimes have to degrade our freedoms more and more overtime until we're living the smallest, the most frightened, the most secretive lives. Think of yourselves living under the Taliban because that's where we're headed."

Ruffalo spoke during a kickoff Zoom call for the Oct. 18 "No Kings" protest. ABC and parent company Disney indefinitely suspended Kimmel’s show Wednesday night after the host accused conservatives of reaching "new lows" in trying to pin a left-wing ideology to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassin, despite authorities confirming the shooter’s political leanings at the time. "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," Kimmel said.

ABC and Disney indefinitely suspended Kimmel's show as the network grappled with the fallout from the remarks and the broader debate over political rhetoric on late-night programs. The suspension followed a monologue in which Kimmel criticized conservatives for linking Charlie Kirk’s assassin to left-wing ideology, despite authorities confirming the shooter’s political leanings.

On Saturday, Ruffalo reacted to a report of Disney stock dropping about seven percent after the announcement of Kimmel’s suspension. In a Threads post, he wrote, "It's going to go down a lot further if they cancel his show. Disney does not want to be the ones that broke America."

Earlier in the stream, Ruffalo also reacted to late-night host Stephen Colbert's Emmys speech following his own cancellation earlier this summer. Ruffalo referenced Colbert’s remarks and suggested that the entertainment industry is navigating a charged political climate as networks adjust programming in response to criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Ruffalo’s comments come amid a broader discussion about free speech, media accountability, and corporate responses to political controversy in the United States. The situation highlights ongoing tensions over how much influence political debates should have in network programming and how entertainment figures respond to political events that spill over into public policy discussions.

Ruffalo’s remarks were part of a broader media moment that has drawn attention from supporters and critics alike, reflecting a polarized environment where statements about democracy and government action are closely scrutinized. While supporters say Ruffalo is highlighting concerns about government overreach and censorship, critics argue that corporate actions in cases of problematic content or safety concerns are separate from political ideology and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Ruffalo, Colbert, and other figures in the entertainment industry have faced renewed focus as the industry contends with calls for accountability, transparency, and standards in the wake of political controversies that increasingly intersect with cultural debates. The episode underscores how celebrity voices can amplify discussions about the boundaries between government power, media freedom, and corporate policy in contemporary US politics.