The American daytime talk programme The View has come under intense criticism after choosing not to address ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live during Thursday’s broadcast, despite the story dominating media coverage across the United States.
Rather than discussing their network colleague’s removal from the air, the programme opened with a celebration of co-host Sara Haines’ 48th birthday, leaving viewers stunned by what many perceived as a glaring omission from the show known for tackling controversial current affairs.
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg announced “it’s Sara’s birthday!” as the panel took their seats, whilst Alyssa Farah Griffin remarked on Ms Haines’ “sexy dress” in her birthday photograph displayed on screen. The celebratory tone stood in stark contrast to the media firestorm surrounding ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel off the air indefinitely.
The omission proved particularly notable given The View’s reputation for addressing major news stories during their daily Hot Topics segment. Instead, the five-member panel devoted airtime to FBI Director Kash Patel’s congressional testimony from Wednesday, focusing on his handling of the Epstein Files, whilst also discussing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s efforts to reshape the Centers for Disease Control.
Throughout the 60-minute broadcast, no mention was made of Mr Kimmel’s suspension or the circumstances surrounding ABC’s unprecedented decision, which came after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened action against the network.
The suspension followed Mr Kimmel’s Monday monologue, where he stated: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
The View’s silence drew immediate and fierce backlash from viewers on social media, with many pointing out what they perceived as hypocrisy from the typically outspoken panel.
“You are kidding me, the way all of you acted, not one word about Jimmy Kimmel, what a bunch of hypocrites! Looking forward to your show next,” one X user fumed.
“Cowards and hypocrites. Not a word today about Kimmel,” a second viewer pointed out, whilst a third echoed: “@TheView Does anybody find it odd that The View has been completely silent on Jimmy Kimmel? Odd. They always have something to say. Guessing they’re not allowed? Weird, because it’d be a good hot topic. They must have a view on it. Hypocrites.”
The criticism intensified as viewers noted that fellow late-night hosts had shown solidarity with Kimmel on Wednesday evening. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers all dedicated portions of their shows to supporting the suspended presenter, making The View’s silence even more conspicuous.
“Shame on all of you for not addressing Jimmy Kimmel! We need to stand together against this administration! Whoopi & Joy, really? Not a word. I am so disgusted & disappointed. Truth to power is what you preached. Shame on all of you for caving!” one disappointed viewer wrote.
Another added: “Failing to address the Jimmy Kimmel story, or speak about Freedom of Speech in the media, is unforgivable. We know Disney/ABC sucks, but the panel should’ve walked off the set if they couldn’t keep it real. I’m surprised that The View caved. It will always be remembered.”
Celebrity support for Kimmel from figures like Ben Stiller and Michael Keaton made the panel’s silence all the more notable. David Letterman, speaking at The Atlantic Festival on Thursday, called ABC’s decision “no good,” adding: “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office.”
Sources had previously told media outlets in May that Disney and ABC News ordered The View hosts to tone down their anti-Trump rhetoric, though the show has continued to be critical of the administration on various topics.
Ironically, earlier in the week, Ms Goldberg had defended free speech principles, stating on Tuesday: “I will fight for their right to say stuff I don’t like, because I will say stuff they don’t like and I don’t want them up my behind about it either.
The panel also addressed Stephen Colbert directly in a previous episode, with Goldberg telling him “we’re supporting you” and “we got your back” after CBS announced his show would end next year following his criticism of Trump.
Media analyst Roger Friedman suggested the hosts may have been “gagged by ABC,” noting: “There’s absolutely no way Whoopi or Joy would not have commented on the Kimmel suspension unless ABC forbade them.”
The programme concluded with the presenters discussing birthday cookies prepared for Ms Haines, with Ms Goldberg signing off by telling viewers she would “see you tomorrow,” maintaining the celebratory tone that had dominated the hour.
President Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension on Truth Social, calling the presenter a man of “no talent” with “failing ratings.” He added: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who had threatened action against ABC, posted a celebratory dancing GIF following the network’s decision, later telling Fox News that the suspension was “not the last shoe to drop.”
The controversy has raised serious questions about media freedom and corporate self-censorship, with hundreds of union writers and actors marching outside Disney headquarters to protest the decision.
As one viewer summed up the sentiment: “Of course @TheView would bow down and not address the Jimmy Kimmel situation #Cowards.”
ABC has not responded to requests for comment about whether The View hosts were instructed to avoid the topic, leaving viewers to speculate about the reasons behind the conspicuous silence from one of daytime television’s most politically vocal programmes.
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