Wanda Sykes Breaks Silence After Abrupt Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Ends Her Guest Spot

Wanda Sykes is speaking out after her planned appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was abruptly canceled when ABC suspended the late-night program at the last minute. The comedian was slated to join her longtime friend Jimmy Kimmel on the couch Wednesday night, but the network pulled the plug indefinitely following backlash to Kimmel’s comments about MAGA supporters in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

The controversy erupted after Kimmel addressed Kirk’s murder during his Monday night monologue, saying, “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.”

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s monologue, calling it “the sickest conduct possible." Not long after, ABC revealed that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would be put on hold indefinitely. The news came just hours before the scheduled airing.

Sykes, who had been billed as one of the night’s main guests, shared her disappointment and anger in a candid Instagram video. “I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show, but as you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel show has been pulled indefinitely, abruptly, because of complaints from the Trump administration,” she explained.

The Emmy-winning comedian didn’t hold back, directly addressing the president. “So, let’s see, he didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week but he did end freedom of speech within his first year," she said. "Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”

Sykes isn’t alone in her criticism. Fellow comedian Rosie O’Donnell didn’t hold back, blasting the move in the comments of Sykes’ post. “Shame on ABC and the FCC.”

Comic Mike Birbiglia also defended Kimmel on principle, saying, “I’ve spent a lot of time in public & private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian & you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air, don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”

Other Hollywood stars, including Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jean Smart, have defended Kimmel, with unions like the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA calling the show’s suspension an attack on free speech.

Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly blasted the late-night host, writing:

“I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Jimmy Kimmel got on the air and falsely stated as a fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing an entire movement and Trump in particular with a vile disgusting lie — and at a time when the threat against those on the right is at an all-time high.”

Many others noted the chilling effect of pulling a program over political pressure, especially in an era when comedians are often at the center of cultural debates.

Fans also flooded the comments section of Sykes' post with messages of love and frustration.

“Wow! So sad!! Love you Wanda! Love you Jimmy!!” one person wrote. Another added, “This is so disheartening.” Others applauded Sykes for her boldness, with one supporter commenting, “So much respect for you @iamwandasykes as usual, icon behavior for speaking out!”

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr has since doubled down on his criticism of Kimmel, this time telling CNBC that the late-night host wasn’t just making an offhand joke but actively attempting to mislead viewers. Carr argued that Kimmel’s remarks about the Kirk shooting amounted to spreading false information about “one of the most significant political events we’ve had in a long time.”

“He was trying to directly mislead the American public,” Carr said, emphasizing that Kimmel’s commentary went beyond satire and blurred the line between comedy and misinformation.

If one thing is clear, it is that the debate over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension will rage on for quite some time.