What the Right Really Means When It Says 'Free Speech'

"When Jimmy Kimmel returned to television on Tuesday evening, the late-night host had sharp words for the conservatives who'd briefly forced him off the air. President Donald Trump had put Disney, which owns ABC and made the call to suspend Kimmel, at risk by making "it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs," the comedian said. "Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke.""

"Kimmel had attracted Trump's ire by suggesting Kirk's murderer was one of the "MAGA gang," but previously he was not the most obvious target of the anti-speech right. Once known for co-hosting The Man Show, his late-night persona has always been a bit sedate. As he's since discovered, the Kirk murder has become a useful pretext for political repression. Kimmel might be the right's most famous target, but he isn't alone:"

"At least eight servicemembers have been disciplined for comments about the late influencer, and conservative social-media users have targeted "dozens" more across most branches of the military, Task & Purpose reported. Apple TV has postponed The Savant, which stars Jessica Chastain as an undercover researcher focused on right-wing extremism. The Washington Post fired columnist Karen Attiah for Bluesky posts arguing, in part, against "the insistence that people perform care, empty goodness and absolution for white men who espouse hatred and violence.""

Jimmy Kimmel returned to television to criticize conservatives and President Trump for pressuring Disney to suspend him after his remarks about Kirk. Kimmel's comments alleged the murderer was part of the "MAGA gang," prompting backlash that expanded beyond him. Public universities, school districts, and at least eight servicemembers faced firings or discipline for criticizing Kirk or his work. Conservative social-media users targeted dozens of service members. Apple TV postponed a series about right-wing extremism, and The Washington Post fired a columnist over Bluesky posts. The pattern of punishments has raised accusations of political repression and hypocrisy.

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