The View Finally Addresses Jimmy Kimmel Controversy amid FCC Threats to 'Look into' ABC Series: 'No One Silences Us'

 

The hosts of The View are speaking out for the first time about ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — a move that has ignited a heated national debate over freedom of speech and political pressure on media. Their remarks came just as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair floated the idea of reviewing whether The View itself qualifies as a bona fide news program.

Goldberg: “No One Silences Us”

Opening Monday’s broadcast, moderator Whoopi Goldberg, 69, addressed why the panel had remained quiet in the immediate aftermath of ABC’s September 17 decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running late-night show.

“We took a breath to see if Jimmy [Kimmel] was going to say anything about it,” Goldberg explained. “But did y’all really think we were not gonna talk about Jimmy Kimmel? Have you watched this show over the last 29 seasons? You know no one silences us.”

Goldberg stressed the difference between viewers choosing not to watch a show and the government allegedly pressuring networks. “You can dislike a show and it can get canceled. Someone can say something and face consequences. But what the government cannot do is apply pressure to silence someone,” she said. 

Addressing Political Fallout 

The panel played clips of Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul weighing in on the controversy before Goldberg directly criticized President Donald Trump’s comments on the matter. “I don’t understand how you are the man in charge of the nation and still don’t understand how the First Amendment works,” she remarked.

Co-host Sunny Hostin, 56, agreed, adding: “The president of the United States should know what freedom of speech actually means.”

Ana Navarro, 53, then spoke emotionally to viewers: “I want to thank our loyal audience for demanding truth and courage from us. You deserve it, and we’ll give it to you.” Navarro argued it was “ironic” that the assassination of Charlie Kirk — a conservative activist who, despite disagreements, she credited with defending open debate — was now being used as a justification to silence others.

Navarro Draws From Personal History

Navarro drew on her own background in Nicaragua to underline the dangers of government interference in media. “I lived through a right-wing dictatorship. I lived through a left-wing dictatorship. And let me tell you — it doesn’t matter the ideology. Dictators silence the press first, then they come for all of us.”

She warned that political leaders using fear to push silence leads to self-censorship across society. “A bully always comes back for more,” she said firmly.

Farah Griffin: “Think About the Precedent”

Alyssa Farah Griffin, 36, urged viewers to consider the long-term implications. “Think about the precedent it sets down the road,” she cautioned, noting that what happens to high-profile figures often trickles down to ordinary citizens.

Her remarks echoed the broader industry concerns raised after FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested on a radio program that it may be “worthwhile” to re-examine whether The View still qualifies for the “bona fide news” exemption under federal broadcasting rules. Without that designation, the show could face stricter equal opportunity requirements in political coverage.

The Controversy Behind Kimmel’s Removal

The uproar began with Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, when he criticized the “MAGA gang” for politicizing the death of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a university event in Utah. Kimmel extended condolences to Kirk’s family but also drew laughs by mocking Trump’s off-topic comments in the aftermath.

Days later, Nexstar Media  the nation’s largest local broadcaster and a company awaiting FCC approval of a $6.2 billion merger — announced it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its ABC affiliates, calling his remarks “offensive” and “not in the public interest.” Sinclair Broadcasting, another major affiliate group, followed with similar action and demanded an apology to the Kirk family.

Looking Ahead

Behind the scenes, sources close to The View rejected reports of internal “chaos” over whether the panel would address the issue, telling PEOPLE that the team remains focused on “producing a daily talk show and having thoughtful conversations at the table.” As Monday’s program wrapped, Goldberg closed with a note of resilience, wishing viewers a happy Rosh Hashanah before adding: “Don’t give up. We’re all in this together, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

The panel’s remarks marked a turning point in ABC’s handling of the growing controversy, signaling that the debate over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension — and the wider question of government influence over media — is far from over.