UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has not publicly addressed the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel or the earlier cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s programs, despite his long-standing advocacy for free speech in comedy.
The silence marks a notable departure for Rogan, who has consistently positioned himself as a defender of comedians against censorship pressures. ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on September 17, 2025, following controversial comments Kimmel made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. CBS had previously announced the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in July 2025.
The Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Disney-owned ABC pulled Kimmel’s show after the host suggested during his September 15 monologue that supporters of former President Trump were trying to distance themselves from Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with Kirk’s murder.