Jimmy Kimmel’s Cancellation Draws Comparisons To Gina Carano’s Firing From 'The Mandalorian'

The fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination has reignited an old debate at Disney, and fans are pointing to Gina Carano as proof of a double standard. On Monday, during his "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" monologue, the comedian took aim at the “MAGA gang,” accusing them of twisting the narrative around Charlie Kirk’s assassination. “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,” Kimmel said. By Tuesday, he doubled down, telling viewers, “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” His comments sparked immediate backlash.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr slammed the remarks as “the sickest conduct possible” in an interview with podcaster Benny Johnson, even suggesting the FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses if Disney didn’t act. Hours later, Nexstar, which operates about two dozen ABC affiliates, issued a statement blasting Jimmy Kimmel and announcing its stations would drop his show. Minutes later, ABC confirmed the show was being yanked nationwide.

Among the loudest voices celebrating the cancellation was President Donald Trump, who has long sparred with Kimmel. From the UK, where he is currently on a state visit, Trump posted on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. That leaves Jimmy (Fallon) and Seth (Meyers), two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”

But many in Hollywood weren’t cheering. Actor Ben Stiller posted on X, “This isn’t right.” Actress Jean Smart also voiced her outrage, posting a photo of herself with Jimmy Kimmel and writing that she was “horrified” by the cancellation. “What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda,” she added.

Unions across the industry rallied to Kimmel’s defense as well. The Writers Guild of America, the American Federation of Musicians, and the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists issued a joint statement condemning the show’s indefinite removal as a dangerous attack on free expression.

The quick cancellation drew immediate comparisons to actress Gina Carano, who was fired from "The Mandalorian" in 2021 after controversial social media posts. Carano, a former MMA fighter turned actress, sparked outrage when she compared the treatment of Republicans during the COVID-19 era to the persecution of Jewish people during the Holocaust. Lucasfilm labeled those remarks as “abhorrent and unacceptable.”

Carano later sued Disney and Lucasfilm, claiming wrongful termination and discrimination, arguing that male co-stars had shared equally provocative political views without facing the same consequences. The case was settled in 2025 with the backing of Elon Musk, who funded her legal battle.

As news of Jimmy Kimmel's cancellation spread, fans and critics alike took to X to highlight what they view as Disney’s inconsistent approach to free speech.

“Leftists are MELTING DOWN over Disney/ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel, saying it’s a ‘violation of free speech’… but they were RADIO SILENT when Disney FIRED Gina Carano for speaking out against COVID mandates,” one user wrote. “They can ALL shut the hell up.”

Another added, “They only get mad when it’s one of theirs," while a third chimed in, "Believe me, they see nothing wrong with their double standards."

But others pointed out hypocrisy on both sides: “And you were melting down for Gina Carano’s free speech, but now supporting Kimmel being fired. Legendary levels of stupidity in this post.”

The comparisons between Kimmel and Carano highlight how deeply polarized the debate over “cancel culture” and free speech has become. For critics, Disney’s handling of both cases underscores a selective enforcement of standards based on political leanings. For supporters, the actions reflect accountability in an era when high-profile figures wield enormous influence.

Regardless of the perspective, both Jimmy Kimmel and Gina Carano have become unlikely symbols in a larger cultural war, with two very different personalities caught at the intersection of entertainment, politics, and corporate responsibility.