On Wednesday, September 17, Trump and Brendan Carr, head of the “Fascist Communications Commission” collaborated to pressure ABC into canceling the Jimmy Kimmel LIVE show.
In three cities, Refuse Fascism organized emergency protests. KIMMEL STAYS — TRUMP MUST GO!
NYC ABC Headquarters 7 Hudson Street
Washington DC FCC Headquarters 45 L Street LE
Los Angeles El Capitan Theater 6480 Hollywood Blvd
Writers’ Guild of America also held protests outside of Disney and ABC headquarters in LA and NY.
The protests drew widespread media coverage. Below are just a few highlights.
People Magazine (Instagram)
Variety
Disney Faces Protests for Benching Jimmy Kimmel Amid Pressure From FCC, Station Affiliates and Trump
‘We the people are watching them’ protesters warn as crowds gather in Hollywood, Burbank and New York
In New York, a group of roughly 100 protestors gathered in front of ABC’s headquarters. In between chants of “Kimmel stays, Trump must go” and “ABC, grow a spine,” Alex Bores, assemblymember for the 73rd District of New York, spoke out against corporations making business decisions based on the will of the Trump administration. In Hollywood, the crowd chanted “Down with the FCC,” “ABC bent the knee” and “Jimmy Kimmel stays. Trump must go” as more demonstrators gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. “No Kings Unless We Bow,” read one sign held by a woman wearing a T-shirt that declared “Resist.”
Entertainment Weekly
Protesters gather outside of Jimmy Kimmel Live studio to oppose show’s suspension
ABC took the late-night talk show off the air “indefinitely” on Wednesday.
"Jimmy Kimmel did nothing but point out some of the hypocrisies of these fascists, and for this, he is being canceled and he is being threatened," one protester says in video captured on Hollywood Boulevard outside of the studio where Kimmel tapes in the El Capitan Entertainment Centre. The speaker said the intent for Kimmel's critics was "go after anybody that is opposing them."
Deadline (Hollywood News)
‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Benching Draws Spirited Protest Outside Late Night Host’s Hollywood Blvd Theater
Taylor, taking the mic, shouted, “Donald Trump said today that if you criticize him, you could lose your broadcast license!” which triggered big boos from those gathering. “Fascism is upon us now! It’s the message that the White House has sent by the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. It is our neighbors with brown skin, being stopped and asked for papers, being disappeared and being kidnapped by masked men and disappeared at the concentration camps and around the world. This is fascism,” she added before spurring the crowd to chant, “Trump must go! Jimmy Kimmel must stay!”
LA Times (Instagram)
Freedom News TV
Jimmy Kimmel protest outside ABC Studios in NYC
Forbes Breaking News
Pro-Jimmy Kimmel Protesters Demonstrate Outside Disney Headquarters In New York City
Newsweek
CNBCTV-18
The longer this fascism is able to stay in power the more it gets hammered in and the less we will be able to do to defeat it. Our message:
This is fascism. There can be NO living with it. KIMMEL STAYS – TRUMP MUST GO NOW!
Get to DC 11-05-25 be part of launching the biggest nonviolent mobilization in U.S. history – relentless nonviolent resistance not stopping until Trump is removed from power. #Nov5FloodDC