Hollywood Stars Condemn Trump's Free Speech Crackdown

Renowned Hollywood stars have been successively voicing criticism, accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of suppressing freedom of expression...

Renowned Hollywood stars have been successively voicing criticism, accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of suppressing freedom of expression.

According to the British Guardian on the 21st, actor Angelina Jolie, attending the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, was asked by a reporter, “What do you fear as an artist and as an American?”

Jolie responded, “It’s a very difficult question,” adding, “I love my country, but I can’t recognize it now. I have always lived internationally, and my family is international, as are my friends and my lifestyle.”

She stated, “I believe that inciting division or restricting personal expression and freedom anywhere is a very dangerous thing.” She added, “Since this is a serious time, we must be careful not to speak recklessly,” and noted, “The period we are living through together is truly, truly a difficult time.”

The Guardian pointed out, “While Jolie did not directly mention comedian Jimmy Kimmel or the talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ her remarks came just days after ABC announced the indefinite suspension of the program.”

Recently, there has been significant controversy in the U.S. over the Trump administration’s public threats against the talk show, which led to its suspension.

The incident originated from remarks Kimmel made on his talk show on the 15th. At the time, he criticized Trump presidential supporters for “exploiting the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk, a Trump supporter, for political gain.”

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr publicly threatened to revoke ABC’s broadcasting license over Kimmel’s remarks, and ABC announced the indefinite suspension of the program. President Trump welcomed the decision on Truth Social, writing, “Great news for America. The struggling Jimmy Kimmel Show has been canceled.”

Following this, the U.S. broadcasting industry was thrown into turmoil. Not only famous late-night talk show hosts but also renowned stars expressed support for Kimmel and criticized the Trump administration.

Talk show host Stephen Colbert said in his show’s opening monologue on the 18th, “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.” He added, “This is blatant censorship,” and stated, “You cannot give an inch to a dictator. If ABC thinks this will satisfy the regime, they are pathetically naive.”

David Letterman, a ‘legend of late-night talk shows,’ remarked, “You cannot fire people just because you want to appease the criminal government in the White House or because you are afraid of it.” Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s Tonight Show, said, “I don’t know what’s happening. No one really knows. Kimmel is a wonderful, humorous, and warm-hearted person. I hope he returns.”

Mark Ruffalo, famous for playing the Hulk, stated in a promotional video for the anti-Trump protest ‘No Kings’ released on the 21st, “It is the U.S. government that is suppressing freedom of expression.” He continued, “It is not your neighbors or someone on social media, but the U.S. government doing this,” and emphasized, “We must all unite.”

Pedro Pascal, known for dramas such as ‘Narcos’ and ‘Game of Thrones,’ posted a photo with Kimmel on Instagram, writing, “I stand with you. Let’s protect freedom of expression. Let’s protect democracy.”

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo posted on her Instagram Story on the 20th, “I am outraged by this blatant censorship and abuse of power. I stand with Kimmel and support freedom of expression.”