Whoopi Goldberg Delivers On-Air Rebuttal: “No One Silences Us” Amid Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Storm

In a dramatic moment on Monday’s episode of The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg and her fellow panelists broke their long silence over the controversial suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel—declaring with pointed clarity that they would not be muzzled by pressure, speculation, or corporate interference.

Silence Breaks, Defiance Surges

For two episodes in a row, The View had remained conspicuously silent on ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air following contentious remarks he made about the alleged shooter in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. EW.com+2Business Insider+2

That silence drew criticism—some speculated that the show was being gagged by network executives or avoiding internal conflict. Variety+3The Daily Beast+3Decider+3 But on Monday, the hosts struck back.

“Did y’all really think we weren’t going to talk about Jimmy Kimmel?” Goldberg opened, receiving affirmations from her co-hosts and audience alike. “I mean, have you watched the show over the last 29 seasons? So you know, no one silences us.” Variety+4EW.com+4Business Insider+4

Goldberg explained the delay: the show had “taken a breath” to see if Kimmel would issue a statement first. She also pointed out that their Friday show had been pre-taped, limiting their ability to respond in real time. People.com+4EW.com+4Business Insider+4 She pledged that now, on live air, the conversation would proceed.

The Core Debate: Free Speech vs. Political Pressure

At the heart of the segment was a fierce defense of First Amendment protections and a critique of what the hosts framed as overreach by political bodies and the FCC.

Goldberg asserted that while networks may choose not to air a show, “the government cannot apply pressure to force someone to be silenced.” People.com+4EW.com+4Business Insider+4 She joined the hosts in airing clips of senators—Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and others—warning against regulatory coercion and media censorship. Business Insider+3EW.com+3Variety+3

Co-host Sunny Hostin chimed in: “Freedom of speech undergirds our democracy… the president of the United States should know what the freedom of speech means.” Variety+3EW.com+3People.com+3

Ana Navarro, drawing from her own experiences in Nicaragua, called out what she viewed as authoritarian tactics: “At first they come for the people with big platforms… But then they come for all of us.” She criticized the use of Kirk’s assassination as a pretext to stifle voices. Decider+5People.com+5Business Insider+5

Meanwhile, Alyssa Farah Griffin urged viewers to consider long-term implications: today’s sidelining of dissenting voices could be tomorrow’s blanket control over what can and cannot be said on air. EW.com+2Business Insider+2

The Backdrop: What Sparked Kimmel’s Suspension

The root of the uproar lies in Jimmy Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, during which he criticized what he labeled the “MAGA gang” in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing—a remark that ignited fierce backlash. Yahoo+4People.com+4Business Insider+4

FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded with sharp condemnation, threatening review of ABC’s broadcast practices and suggesting that affiliates preempt Kimmel as a condition of their licensing. Decider+4EW.com+4Business Insider+4 Soon afterward, Nexstar—an owner of many ABC affiliate stations–pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup. pagesix.com+3Business Insider+3People.com+3

Several late-night hosts—Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Howard Stern, and others—publicly decried the move as censorship. People.com+3NYP Post+3Business Insider+3 As the controversy festers, no timetable for Kimmel’s return has been announced. The Daily Beast+3Business Insider+3People.com+3

Fallout, Repercussions & What’s Next

The rift now includes accusations that ABC may have pressured daytime programming to avoid confronting the drama. Goldberg firmly rejected that notion on-air. pagesix.com+3The Daily Beast+3Decider+3 The View said their silence did not stem from editorial suppression but from deliberation over how to respond. The Daily Beast+2Business Insider+2

Beyond The View, the larger questions loom: Does the FCC have the authority to intervene in programming decisions? Are broadcasters at risk of chilling speech to appease regulatory or political pressure? The clip of Jardim Carr’s remarks—that he might evaluate The View’s status under “bona fide news” rules—only amplified that concern. EW.com+2Business Insider+2

For now, The View has reasserted its defiance, committed to covering the story going forward, and urging viewers to remain vigilant in defending speech freedoms. People.com+2Business Insider+2

As the controversy continues to ripple through the media sphere, Monday’s broadcast marked more than a rebuttal—it was a statement of identity, reminding audiences that The View sees itself not just as a talk show, but as a platform for unfiltered opinion and accountability.