Bill Clinton raises free speech concerns following Jimmy Kimmel suspension

Former President Bill Clinton warned that the US was afraid that the US lost freedom of speech after reference to short suspension of the host Jimmy Kimmel.

Clinton gave statements at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in honor of his 20th anniversary, where he criticized several Trump administration policies, including foreign aid deductions and restrictions on immigration asylum claims.

Although he did not mention Trump or Kimmel with a name, he referred to the “weight of the government” used to restrict expressions, including Clinton comedy.

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“I’m worried that we are at risk of losing our freedom of speaking, and the weight of the government is used to restrict the statement of journalism to comedy.” He said.

“Jimmy Kimmel alive!” Kimmel’s claims about Charlie Kirk’s assassin were withdrawn from the air last week after led to an anger and an implicit threat from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

Although Kimmel’s suspension was removed on September 23, Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Nexstar Media Group said they would continue to prevent the show in dozens of ABC affiliated organization while negotiations with Disney.

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Jimmy Kimmel from ABC returned to the air after being briefly suspended after Charlie Kirk’s controversial comments on the alleged assassin on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. (Through Randy Holmes/Disney Getty Images)

Clinton later focused on journalism and the importance of the free press.

“But the press had to be difficult for us, Cint Clinton said. He continued: “confronting and thinking about them and to answer them, making our ideas more powerful and better. And if the scope is unfair and wrong, we can stand up and show it and express our disputes without trying to put people who do their jobs under work. This is wrong.”

“By doing this, you do not build strong societies. This is an illusion. All of the institutions cause the failure of societies when all of them fall out of sight.”

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Protesters “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” It was produced to demonstrate the show against the suspension of the show, claiming that the free speech was a violation. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Clinton also condemned the political violence against Kirk and former Minnesota House President Melissa Hortman, and called for a more peaceful opposition.

“I think we all have to admit that strong debates and disagreements and opposition is necessary in a functioning democracy. He said.

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Fox News Digital has reached Clinton staff for additional comments, but did not get a response immediately.