“The left wanted to make comedy illegal.”

Elon Musk’s recycled joke about comedy being “illegal” is making the rounds once more after ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup.

Featured Video

The late-night host was indefinitely suspended following his feedback on Charlie Kirk’s loss of life, elevating issues about political speech and censorship, and what voices are being silenced on TV. Now, Musk’s outdated “legalize comedy” remarks are getting used on-line as shorthand for the backlash.

Jimmy Kimmel suspended over Charlie Kirk monologue

Kimmel’s present on Monday, like many others, targeted on the fallout surrounding final week’s taking pictures of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Among different statements, he opined that the suitable is utilizing the person’s loss of life to assault their political opponents.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” he mentioned.

By Wednesday, ABC spokespeople have been confirming that the present had been “pre-empted indefinitely.” Unlike cancellation, “pre-empted” signifies that the present can be changed and that this was a snap resolution somewhat than premeditated.

ABC’s father or mother firm confirmed that this was attributable to Kimmel’s feedback about Kirk.

“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” mentioned Nexstar Media Group Inc. broadcasting division president Andrew Alford.

Speculation quickly swirled over the position of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s feedback on Wednesday’s episode of right-wing pundit Benny Johnson’s YouTube present.

“[This] appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into the narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or Republican-motivated person,” Carr mentioned. “What people don’t understand is that the broadcasters … have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest.”

“When we see stuff like this, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Elon Musk’s “comedy is illegal” clip resurfaces

As the information unfold on-line yesterday, one X put up went viral for responding with a clip of Elon Musk speaking concerning the legality of comedy. User @brndxix gained over 2.5 million views in underneath 24 hours with footage of the X proprietor at CPAC in February.

“Have a sense of humor,” Musk mentioned. “The left wanted to make comedy illegal. You can’t make fun of anything. Comedy sucks, nothing is funny. You can’t make fun of anything. It’s like, legalize comedy.”

This was a recycling of a “joke” by the comedy-challenged billionaire from 2022, shortly after he acquired what was Twitter. On Oct. 8 of that yr, he tweeted, “Comedy is now legal on Twitter.”

Musk had a brief however energetic position within the new Trump administration and donated hundreds of thousands to President Donald Trump’s 2024 marketing campaign. He to this point has little to say with regards to late-night comedy exhibits getting cancelled over political speech.

Kimmel followers and people on the left, nevertheless, have a lot to say. Also, memes.

“So we basically have state controlled media now,” wrote @42thumbout.

“Free speech 10x comedy legalization champion @elonmusk do you support this?” requested @Jamesfrmdawick.

The web is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single every day e-mail. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s publication right here.