On Wednesday’s broadcast, Hayes argued that Kimmel’s suspension “renders the First Amendment meaningless.” Yet, clips resurfaced from April 2023 show Hayes celebrating Carlson’s termination, accusing him of spreading offensive rhetoric and declaring that people eventually become “unpopular on the national stage” if they continually “dehumanize” others.

Confusion Over Jimmy Kimmel’s Future
As the debate rages, uncertainty remains over Kimmel’s future on ABC. While insiders hinted his show could return within days, Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major distributor of the program, has refused to reinstate it until Kimmel donates to Turning Point USA—the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, whose tragic death in Utah has shaken political circles nationwide.

Instead of Kimmel’s show, Sinclair plans to air a tribute to Kirk. This bold move demonstrates how media conglomerates are leveraging their platforms in the middle of a national debate on speech, comedy, and respect for the fallen conservative leader.