UFC commentator and podcasthost Joe Rogan has not publicly tackled the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel or the earlier cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s programs, despite his long-standing advocacy for freedom of expression in comedy.
The silence marks a remarkable departure for Rogan, who has consistently positioned itself as a defender of comedians against censorship pressure. ABC has an indefinite period of time “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” On September 17, 2025, after controversial comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel made. CBS had previously announced the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in July 2025.
The Jimmy Kimmel –
Disney ownership ABC ran Kimmel’s show after the host had suggested during his monologue of 15 September that supporters of former President Trump tried to distance himself Van Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of the murder of Kirk. “De Maga -gang tries to characterize this boy that Charlie Kirk killed as something other than one of them,” Kimmel explained.
The suspension came after Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, an employee of the government, threatened to ABC’s affiliated licenses. Nexstar Media Group, who operates countless ABC branches, announced that it would occur the Kimmel show and described his comments as “offensive and insensitive at a critical moment in our national political discourse.” This is the government that decides what can be said on television.
Brendan Carr has been a member of the Federal Communications Commission since 2017, after he has been appointed by President Donald Trump and was confirmed by the Senate that year. In November 2024, Trump Carr called FCC chairman, a position he held on Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. Carr is generally considered an ally of Trump, who contributed to the conservative project 2025 Blueprint and repeatedly tuned his regulatory agenda with Trump’s calling in to start “Big Tech” and challenge the observed liberal bias in broadcasting media.
The cancellation of Stephen Colbert
CBS announced in July That “the late show with Stephen Colbert” would end in May 2026. The decision followed on the criticism of Colbert on his parent company Paramount to settle a lawsuit with Trump for $ 16 million. The cancellation took place during the merger of Paramount with Skydance, which requires approval from the government. It is an example of the government that decides what can and cannot be said on television.
There are indications that the decision of CBS to end the late show with Stephen Colbert, at least partially driven by political pressure related to the handling of her parent company with the Trump administration. The cancellation was publicly announced a few days after Colbert criticized Paramount’s settlement of $ 16 million with former President Trump on a reported “60 minutes” interview -A deal that is seen a lot as a “thick bribery” that is designed to grasp the road for the current Skydance merger of Paramount, which requires the approval of the federal communication committee under appointed chairman Brendan Carr.
These changes coincide with an intensified political control of liberal -leaning cabaretic hosts, which suggests a pattern of censorship on network television, with pressure from the FCC from the government.
Joe Rogan’s Free Speech Philosophy
Joe Rogan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting comedians against censorship. “If you make a joke that is politically incorrect and then they write it down, you have to explain it – we have automatically left the kingdom of jokes,” he said.
Joe Rogan spoke out in 2015 when the government was of Venezuela shutdown Down Comedians.
The Podcast -Gastheer opened the Comedy Mothership in Austin specifically to create a space where comedians could perform without fear of repercussions. “Everyone is afraid to speak. Everyone is afraid to pronounce. A place like this where people can come and have a good time, and are not afraid of consequences or fear that they will no longer be booked,” “ Rogan explained.
Joe Rogan said:
“Tim Walz said that the first amendment does not apply to wrong information or hateful speech. Okay, well, it certainly does.”
“Free speech is useless unless you allow people you don’t like to say things that you don’t like.”
“I have had more people furious with me for what clear jokes are than ever at any other moment in my career. This is the most difficult thing, because you make something that clearly is a joke and then someone writes the transcript of the joke and now you have to explain the joke that it immediately kills, because as soon as you explain a joke, it is no longer a joke.”
Rogan has a great fear of a certain demographic being silent:
“It keeps on going on and on, and when you come to where you can capitulate, where you agree with all these requirements, it will ultimately not be allowed to talk straight white men. Because it is your privilege to express yourself when other people are silent in history.”
Rogan’s approach to comedy and freedom of expression is rooted in what scholars Have called “Roast Universalism” – the idea that comedy must be able to target without restrictions. He has positioned himself as the defense of an endangered art form and claims that only about 250-500 legitimate comedians have been left worldwide who are willing to push his limits.
Comedian Mike Birbiglia spoke out:
“I have spent a lot of time in public and private defending comedians that I do not agree with. If you are a comedian and the insanity does not call to pull Kimmel out of the air – don’t bother to spray over freedom of expression.”
Political context
The actions against both hosts took place during a period of increased political tension after the murder of Kirk on 10 September 2025 at Utah Valley University. Kirk was shot while he spoke a crowd of 3,000 people during his ‘American Comeback tour’.
Robinson was arrested after confessing his father and is confronted with charges of capital murder. Justice officers said he had developed an “obsession” with Kirk and “radicalized on the internet”.
The Trump administration has used the incident to print media companies, in which officials threaten temporary employment lets and call up action against personalities that make comments they consider inappropriate.
Response industry
Freedom plead for Both network decisions have criticized as capitulation for government pressure. MSNBC -Guestheer Chris Hayes called the Kimmel -the clearest attack on the free speech of government actors I have ever seen. “
“The most anti-free speech management of my life and it is not even close.” Luke Thomas
“Trump’s Doj has removed a study on the rise of the extremely right violence in America. In the meantime, Trump undoubtedly lubricates so -called” extremely left -wing “critics and the government threatens to unleash them. Make no sense: Trump’s some focus suppresses the abnormal opinions and consolidating more power.”
The Governor of California Gavin Newsom accused republicans “censor you in real -time” by coordinated efforts, including “the acquisition and management of media, rejecting commentators and the cancellation of programs.”
Rogan’s constant silence
Despite the fact that his platform reaches millions and his pronounced dedication to defend comedians and freedom of expression, neither of them has granted any of the two situations. His silence comes under pressure from the government over their political comments as comedians.
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