Chabria: Wake up, Los Angeles. We are all Jimmy Kimmel

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As a lifelong movie and comic book fan, I’ve always seen comics as a vital part of our democracy. They’re often the first to raise alarms – like a warning signal, almost – when free expression comes under attack from those pushing backwards policies. They really are on the front lines, letting us know when things are starting to go wrong.

Jimmy Kimmel joins a group of comedians who’ve faced controversy, though he might not appreciate the comparison. This group includes Zero Mostel, Philip Loeb, and even Lenny Bruce, who, after being investigated by the FBI and unofficially blacklisted, felt he wasn’t just a comedian, but someone who exposed hypocrisy.

As a classic movie fan, I always think about the ’50s, and it wasn’t just about cool cars and rock ‘n’ roll. It was the time of McCarthyism, and it was scary. Basically, America went through a period where people were trying to control what others could say and satirize – our right to free speech, you know? We got through it, thankfully, but a lot of people suffered, losing their jobs and even facing worse consequences. It’s a reminder of how fragile those freedoms can be, even though Bruce’s issues came a bit later, of course.

We haven’t reached the level of the old Red Scare tactics yet, but things are starting to feel unsettling.

Wake up, Los Angeles. This isn’t a Jimmy Kimmel problem. This is a Los Angeles problem.

This concerns the punishment of those who express their opinions, the suppression of disagreement, and the improper use of government authority to target opponents. You don’t have to share Kimmel’s political views to understand the danger here.

During the latter part of Trump’s presidency, California – and especially San Francisco – became a major target of criticism from conservatives. San Francisco, historically a liberal stronghold, seemed to embody what some saw as societal problems, with its visible drug use, acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, and the long-standing political influence of figures like Nancy Pelosi and Gavin Newsom.

The trouble with disliking San Francisco is that the city simply doesn’t seem to notice or care. It’s always been aware of, and even celebrated, the fact that it makes many Americans uncomfortable. This attitude is what inspired columnist Herb Caen to famously nickname it “Baghdad by the Bay” over 80 years ago, at a time when San Francisco had already fully accepted being different.

Los Angeles doesn’t worry much about what others think. We’re usually too busy with our own lives – just trying to get by or achieve our goals – to focus on outside opinions of our lively, complex city. Plus, people in Los Angeles don’t see themselves as one unified group. With over 9 million residents spread across a huge area, there are countless different ways to experience L.A.

Hollywood Inc.

On Monday’s show, Jimmy Kimmel suggested the person suspected of killing Charlie Kirk could be a supporter of Donald Trump.

However, to many across the country, Los Angeles is becoming a symbol of everything the American right dislikes, much like San Francisco was in the past.

President Trump’s decision to start his National Guard tour in Los Angeles, and the increased ICE patrols in our streets, weren’t accidental. Similarly, the efforts to drastically change UCLA aren’t due to chance or simple mistakes.

The reason Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air wasn’t actually what he said about Charlie Kirk. Honestly, his comments weren’t even close to the most controversial things said by people on either side of the political debate.

He wasn’t actually discussing Kirk, but the person accused of killing him, and the intense focus on the suspect’s political views right after the crime. It seems Jimmy Kimmel incorrectly suggested the suspect leaned conservative, but we’ll probably need to wait for the trial to learn all the facts.

Jimmy Kimmel said that supporters of Donald Trump are working hard to distance themselves from the person who attacked Charlie Kirk, and are attempting to use the tragic event to their political advantage. He then criticized Trump’s reaction to the violent incident.

People either agree with Kimmel’s statement or find it upsetting. However, it’s ironic that those who recently criticized the left for supposedly ‘canceling’ people are now using similar methods themselves.

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If you’re wondering if this is really about what’s being said, and not about who’s saying it, consider Trump’s recent social media post. He directly called on NBC to fire its late-night hosts, many of whom have criticized him – which shows he’s focused on controlling the narrative, not just responding to criticism.

Trump criticized late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, calling them ‘losers’ and claiming they have poor ratings. He also pointed out that Kimmel’s ratings are even lower than Stephen Colbert’s, and urged NBC to take action against both Kimmel and Meyers.

As a critic, I see this less as a story and more as a deliberate attempt to target New York City – a place that truly embodies freedom, creativity, and acceptance. It feels like a calculated move to single out not just the city itself, but also those who speak out against it, making them examples of what happens when you challenge the status quo. It’s a bold, and frankly unsettling, narrative.

If Jimmy Kimmel faced repercussions so quickly, what impact will there be on Hannah Einbinder’s career after she voiced support for Palestine at the Emmys? Will studios now be hesitant to hire her?

With union leader David Huerta still facing charges after being arrested at an immigration protest, people are wondering what the consequences will be. Could this discourage others from participating in future demonstrations?

As a movie lover, I always think about what stories *really* mean to the people who aren’t afraid to live life on their own terms. It’s about those of us who embrace a wider world, who aren’t confined by old rules. People who’ve created their own paths – whether it’s in who they love, where they call home, how they see themselves, or simply how they find peace. It’s for those who truly define their own lives.

Los Angeles, a city known for its ambition and freedom, represents everything I intend to destroy.

I don’t want to worry you, but it’s crucial to realize what could happen if our civil rights keep weakening.

The recent censorship of Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue feels connected to troubling events like the detention of immigrants, the government using financial pressure to limit healthcare for transgender individuals, and the University of California being compelled to share potentially sensitive information about its staff and students. These actions all point to a concerning pattern of overreach and suppression.

Hollywood Inc.

Since becoming chairman of the communications agency, Carr has renewed focus on concerns about news bias and started investigations into diversity programs at Comcast and Disney. Recently, he publicly criticized NBC’s reporting on the Kilmar Abrego Garcia situation.

Although it might not seem obvious, being targeted by ICE and a celebrity losing their job due to outside pressure are both examples of the government using its power against individuals.

Disney, not Donald Trump, was the one who addressed the issue with Kimmel. However, the way Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr threatened consequences if ABC didn’t comply is reminiscent of how the White House often speaks about cities like Washington, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

We have a Black mayor, Latino senators and representatives, and a large undocumented population of around one million people. Nearly 10% of adults in our community identify as LGBTQ+. We’re also home to many artists – comedians, musicians, actors, and writers – who challenge us to think differently and see the world from new perspectives.

A lot of us ended up here because we weren’t accepted or understood elsewhere, or because people tried to limit our potential. (Even though I’m in Sacramento now, I’ll always feel like I’m from Los Angeles.) We came to California and Los Angeles seeking a place where we could be safe and thrive.

But now it needs our protection.

No matter how it happens, any attack on our democratic principles affects everyone – we’re all vulnerable. The foundations of our society are being threatened, and the best way to protect ourselves is to unite against these challenges.

It’s important to recognize that any attack – whether it targets a famous person, someone doing their job, or the whole community – is fundamentally the same.

Former President Obama recently emphasized that democracy requires active participation from all citizens. He explained that our democracy doesn’t work on its own and relies on people from all political backgrounds to defend the values that have historically made the United States a successful nation.

We find ourselves in Los Angeles at a time that demands strength, understanding, and the courage to declare something utterly unbelievable, even for a city known for its strangeness.

I am Jimmy Kimmel, and I will not be silent.

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2025-09-18 23:32