Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech in the United States – The New York Times

The Daily | Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech in the United States

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Sept. 19, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET

Hosted by Rachel Abrams

Featuring Jim Rutenberg, Jeremy W. Peters and Adam Liptak, Produced by Clare Toeniskoetter and Caitlin O’Keefe, Edited by Paige Cowett Michael Benoist and Patricia Willens, Original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano, Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

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The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel are creating concerns and conversations about the state of free speech in the United States.

Rachel Abrams, Jim Rutenberg, Jeremy W. Peters and Adam Liptak, all journalists for The New York Times, discuss Mr. Kimmel’s removal and why the action is provoking fears and applause from different camps of a polarized country.

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On Today’s Episode

Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine.

Jeremy W. Peters, a national reporter for The New York Times who focuses on free speech and the politics of higher education.

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments, for The New York Times.

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Background Reading

• The Trump administration has wielded its full toolbox to bring media to heel.
• What to know about “hate speech” and the First Amendment.
• In Charlie Kirk killing, finger pointing began before the evidence was in.

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