Pedro Pascal Stands With Jimmy Kimmel, Defends Free Speech
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has been suspended indefinitely after a September 15 monologue in which he criticized MAGA supporters’ reaction to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel said, “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.”
The comments drew criticism from the Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr, who called them “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested that the agency might consider action against Disney.
Soon after, major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would stop airing Kimmel’s show on their ABC affiliates. ABC confirmed the suspension, reportedly following the direction of Disney executives Dana Walden and CEO Bob Iger.
Amid the controversy, actor Pedro Pascal expressed his support for Kimmel on Instagram. He wrote, “Standing with you, Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and added, “Defend free speech” and “defend democracy.”
Other actors connected to Disney and Marvel have also spoken out. Tatiana Maslany encouraged fans to cancel Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, while Marisa Tomei, who plays Aunt May in the MCU, urged followers to unsubscribe from Disney-owned channels including Marvel, ABC, and ESPN. Maslany previously starred in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, though her future projects with Disney are still uncertain.
The situation has sparked a debate about free speech, corporate influence, and the reach of major media companies. Many high-profile actors are using their platforms to show support for Kimmel and criticize Disney’s decision.
Pedro Pascal and others are clearly defending free speech, but the controversy also shows how quickly entertainment and politics can collide. Should Disney reconsider its decision, or is Kimmel’s suspension justified? Share your thoughts in the comments.
