Da'Jae Allen 
Following the shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk, the nation still remains deeply divided. Right-winged media outlets have been working overtime to paint Kirk as empathetic and kind, a characterization the left has pushed back against, given the nature of the rhetoric he often expressed. Neither side can find common ground. In theory, that division might be acceptable. After all, this is America, the land of free expression. But in practice, it seems that these differing opinions are anything but acceptable.
Jimmy Kimmel, the producer and host of the evening talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, was suspended following comments made about Kirk and Donald Trump. On the show, Kimmel suggested that the man responsible for killing Kirk is actually part of MAGA, and mocked Trump’s apathetic response to how he was doing in light of the death of someone he claimed to be his friend.
Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission chair, then appeared on podcasts and contacted TV stations to critique Kimmel, encouraging companies to stop airing the show. Nexstar Media Group, the largest owner of local TV stations, requires the approval of Carr for future purchases, causing them to throw in the towel almost immediately. Similarly, ABC’s parent company, Disney, needs the support of Donald Trump and the Justice Department to acquire Fubo, another streaming platform. This has led to people boycotting Disney+, canceling their subscriptions. Reports are saying that the company has lost over $3.87 billion following the decision to cancel the Kimmel show.
Through widespread protests and increasing public pressure, the decision has now been reversed. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is set to return this Tuesday on some ABC outlets, not all. That being said, some worry that this reinstatement reflects less a commitment to free speech than an attempt to back track on financial losses and quiet down public outrage.
Columnist Karen Attiah has been fired from the Washington Post for her social media posts surrounding the Kirk incident. In her own words, Attiah stated that she was fired for “speaking out against political violence, racial double standards, and America’s apathy toward guns.” Something the Constitution gives everyone in America the right to do. However, the newspaper believed that her posts went against company policy as they specifically target one race — white men.
This dismissal of free speech has even spread to college campuses. At the University of Miami, Dr. Michelle Bravo was fired after reposting an X post that encouraged people to care about the murder of innocent Palestinians the same way they care about the murder of Kirk. The Canes Coalition for Community Justice and Liberation (CCCJL), a student-led organization, went to Instagram in support of Dr. Bravo, saying, “We too believe that freedom of speech is a fundamental right, yet we fail to see how the actions of the university serve to uphold that claim.”
Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media, writing, “What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power. This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. […] We can not dare to be silent or complacent in the face of this frontal assault on free speech.” She called it exactly what this is, an assault on every American citizen’s First Amendment right to free speech.
While speaking to reporters, Donald Trump said, “I read someplace that the networks were 97% against me. And if they’re 97% against, they give me only bad publicity or press. I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away.” He’s made it clear that he has no interest in protecting First Amendment rights, but instead advocates for the infringement of them.
A political science major at St. Louis University is surprised by recent events. “Conservatives love to rally for free speech,” she noted. However, she also made the point that “Historically, when authoritarian leaders begin their rise to power, the first people that are targeted are communists, leftists, liberals, and colleges.”
A University of Illinois Chicago, applied psychology major shared his view on where he thinks we stand with free speech right now. “I’m uncertain as to how the Trump administration will impact free speech in America, but even so, that uncertainty in itself is an issue. The people of America shouldn’t have to question whether or not they have the right to express themselves politically, or in any other way.”
Recent events highlight the fragile state of free expression in today’s America. Whether it is a talk show host losing their platform or a journalist and teacher losing their jobs, the pattern remains the same. Voices are being silenced when they challenge those in power or confront uncomfortable truths. But they also highlight the power of the people. The proletariat is larger than the oppressors and holds much more power than it seems. The First Amendment was designed to protect speech precisely in moments of political tension, not only when that speech is easy to hear or popular. If society allows suppression to become the norm, we risk undermining the very foundation of democracy. The right of every citizen to speak freely without fear of retribution.
By Da’Jae Allen, Junior, Howard University
Instagram: @dajae.10
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