Jane Fonda's free speech group urges ABC to resist Trump's demand to fire Jimmy Kimmel

Source: NBC News

April 27, 2026, 4:21 PM EDT


The Committee for the First Amendment, a free speech advocacy group led by actor Jane Fonda, criticized President Donald Trump for urging ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over his comments about first lady Melania Trump.

“In America, satire is not a crime. The right to mock, to challenge, and yes, to offend those in power, is foundational to democracy. From late-night television to political cartoons, comedy has long served as a powerful tool to expose hypocrisy, provoke debate, and drive accountability,” the organization said Monday in a statement first reported by NBC News.

“This is a test — of ABC, of the press, and of our collective commitment to the First Amendment. The pressure is real. The intent is unmistakable. But we have been here before, and we know what is required from all of us. Speak up. Push back. Do not capitulate. Do not be silent,” the organization added.

The president and first lady objected to remarks Kimmel made on his show Thursday. In a segment parodying the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the late-night comedian said of the first lady: “You have a glow like an expectant widow.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jane-fonda-committee-first-amendment-responds-trump-jimmy-kimmel-abc-rcna342369