It will extend beyond Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel

Phil Defranco explaining the issue at hand.

Every Monday, like clockwork, I start my week with a ritual: I get ready for work while John Oliver tears into a topic—sometimes one I know well, other times something I’ve never even heard of—with a depth, accuracy, and humor that somehow makes the chaos of the world feel a little less overwhelming.

Whether he's explaining data privacy to Congress with brutal honesty or pulling off elaborate pranks like rebranding a minor league baseball team, Oliver’s show isn’t just entertaining—it’s educational. I walk away with a fun fact I’ll annoy my friends with for weeks and a sharper understanding of the world. It's something I genuinely look forward to, and I love it.

Of course, for someone else, that weekly ritual might revolve around Jimmy Kimmel, or Stephen Colbert. Maybe they’ve even seen them live. That’s the beauty of democracy and free speech—we don’t all have to like the same shows, comedians, or points of view. Honestly, I might be personally offended if you don’t like John Oliver, but I get it. What matters more is that we have the freedom to like who we like.

But that freedom is under threat.

It didn’t stop with Stephen Colbert, and it won’t stop with Jimmy Kimmel. Donald Trump has already made it clear: any media that isn’t in his favor should be silenced. And the FCC, under his influence, is acting accordingly—doing everything he asks, no matter how extreme.

This isn’t about which late-night host you prefer. It’s about the right to prefer anyone at all. It’s about keeping our media diverse, independent, and critical—even when it’s uncomfortable. Because once censorship starts, it doesn’t stop at your least favorite comedian. It keeps going until no voice is safe unless it echoes power.

We might not all laugh at the same punchlines. But we should all be alarmed when someone tries to shut the show down.

What can we do now?

Cancel your Disney and Hulu Subscription

We’ve already seen the power of our wallets—when people stop spending at places like Target, Walmart, and others, the impact is real. Our purchasing decisions hold more influence than many realize, especially as we head into the critical years ahead.

If you're unsure how to cancel a subscription, we’ve got you covered. Check out the step-by-step video from the incredible creator TabithaSpeaksPolitics. If you’re not following her yet, she’s a must-watch on TikTok and YouTube.

Call your Representative to demand for the FCC Chair Brendan Carr to be investigated

5calls.org provides a wonderful script on showing your frustration and to hold Brendan Carr accountable for his actions. He's using his political agenda to stop deals, and to blackmail networks to Trump's will. https://5calls.org/issue/free-speech-suppression/

Protip: Most people don’t use fax machines anymore—but if you have access to one, it’s time to put it to good use. We've heard time and again that businesses and representatives hate receiving faxes. That’s exactly why it works. So dust off that old machine, send a message, and remind them that your voice—and your vote—still matters.

Call or Fax the Network and Disney on how you feel

• How to contact Nexstar: https://www.nexstar.tv/contact/

• Disney+: 888-905-7888

• ABC: https://support.abc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029276332-How-do-I-submit-feedback-for-shows-on-ABC-com

• Robert Iger (Disney CEO):

  • Text/Call: 310-890-5241

  • Email: robert.A.iger@disney.com

Script:

Hello [MEDIA/NETWORK NAME],My name is [YOUR NAME], and I'm calling to express my deep concern and outrage over your decision to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air.

Where does it stop? If media outlets continue to cave to political pressure—especially from figures like Donald Trump, then all we’ll be left with is state-approved messaging and propaganda. That’s not a free press, and that’s not the kind of content I will support or subscribe to.

I’m demanding that you reinstate Jimmy Kimmel immediately and take a stand for creative freedom, journalistic integrity, and democracy. Stop bowing to authoritarian influence. The public is watching, and we will respond accordingly.

Thank you.

Inform your friends and family

Share this article, a TikTok, or a YouTube Short—whatever gets the message across. The important thing is helping your friends and family understand: no matter who they voted for, this is wrong. We can’t afford to wait. We need to face this issue now, before it’s too late.