THE VIEW EXPLODES: Whoopi, Joy & Co. RALLY Around Kimmel, TORCH Trump & FCC Over Free Speech 🔥🎤

It wasn’t just another morning of gossip, politics, and pop culture on The View. On Wednesday, September 24, the daytime talk juggernaut opened its “Hot Topic” segment with a fiery, emotional defense of Jimmy Kimmel, whose return to late-night television has reignited America’s raging debate over free speech, political retaliation, and the limits of comedy.

What started as a discussion about Kimmel’s tearful monologue quickly spiraled into a roundtable about liberty, authoritarianism, and government intimidation—and the cohosts did not hold back.

Whoopi Goldberg: “It’s Your Birthright” 🇺🇸

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg set the tone, framing Kimmel’s return as more than just a pop-culture comeback. For her, it was a symbol of what’s at stake when political forces attempt to silence comedians.

“It’s your birthright as an American,” Whoopi declared, her voice rising. “If you’re not happy with what’s going on, you’re allowed to say. That’s part of what makes you an American. That’s part of what makes us different than everybody else.”

Goldberg took it further, praising Republicans who condemned the FCC’s threat against Kimmel, and stressing that free speech is not a partisan luxury but a shared right. In a pointed aside, she contrasted the American spirit with what she called the “embarrassment” of Donald Trump’s combative speech at the United Nations the day before.

“There is a great pride we still have in America, in spite of what you saw at the U.N. yesterday. We’re proud to do what we do, and we’re proud that you all continue to watch us, whether you like what we’re saying or not,” she said, her words met with loud audience applause.

Sara Haines: “He Did Everything Perfectly”

Cohost Sara Haines applauded Kimmel’s nuanced approach to clarifying his controversial remarks about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

On his September 16 broadcast—days before affiliates preempted the show—Kimmel accused the MAGA movement of twisting the tragedy for political points. Critics pounced, claiming he was mocking a murder. But on Tuesday’s return, Kimmel clarified that his intent was to expose hypocrisy, not belittle loss.

Haines praised his candor:

“He did everything perfectly. He touched on the protection of free speech, but also recognized that his intention was never to mock a murder. That’s where comedians are unique. They remind us to hold governments accountable and to laugh at power. He was so clear.”

She singled out his gratitude to detractors, calling it “a moment of humility and maturity in a time when so many just double down.”

Joy Behar: “This Is What Dictators Do” ⚠️

Veteran panelist Joy Behar lit the match on the geopolitical comparisons, arguing that Trump and the FCC’s threats were part of a global pattern of silencing humor.

“Trump is not the first one to do this,” Behar warned. “Putin’s first move when he took power was to take over a TV network that aired a puppet comedy mocking him. In Iran, they’ve done it. In Turkey, Erdogan too. Why? Because comedians tell the truth, and it resonates. These so-called strong men are actually weak men—they can’t take a joke.”

The audience roared. Behar’s comparison was chilling: Kimmel’s suspension wasn’t just an entertainment story—it was a dangerous sign of creeping authoritarianism.

Alyssa Farah Griffin: “Bigger Than Himself”

Former Trump White House aide turned media critic Alyssa Farah Griffin offered a surprising note of praise, calling Kimmel’s handling of the controversy “bigger than himself.”

“That line was key: ‘The show is not important. What is important is that we live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.’ He talked about his staff of 200 people, about other late-night hosts who’ve been threatened, about reports of the Pentagon cracking down on free speech. He made himself a symbol of something broader.”

For Griffin, Kimmel’s humility marked a rare instance of celebrity self-awareness in the face of political pressure.

Sunny Hostin: “Now That Is Scary”

Finally, Sunny Hostin zeroed in on the wider implications, echoing Kimmel’s warnings about reports that the Pentagon is allegedly requiring reporters to submit to pre-approved information restrictions.

“Now that is scary,” Hostin emphasized. “Kimmel said, ‘I know that’s not as interesting as muzzling a comedian, but it’s so important to have a free press.’ He’s right. It is nuts that we aren’t paying more attention to it.”

Her remarks drew murmurs from the audience—this wasn’t just about one comedian’s career, but about the future of journalism in America.

A Flashpoint in the Culture Wars

For The View, this was no ordinary Hot Topic. It was a rare moment of unity among its famously fractious hosts, who often spar on issues of politics and culture. Together, they painted the Kimmel saga as a litmus test for American democracy: whether the nation can still tolerate dissent, satire, and uncomfortable truths.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to boast about ABC’s temporary suspension, casting himself as the puppeteer behind the scenes. The FCC remains under scrutiny for appearing to flirt with retaliatory regulation. And Sinclair and Nexstar—the station groups that blocked Kimmel for nearly a week—are still defending their decision as “independent.”

The Bigger Picture

Late-night television may seem trivial in the grand scheme, but as The View cohosts underscored, it’s a cultural battlefield where free speech, political intimidation, and corporate power collide. Kimmel’s return is not just a personal victory—it’s a moment of reckoning for America’s commitment to liberty.

As Goldberg thundered:

“It’s not about left or right. It’s about whether we still believe in what makes us American.”

The laughter may have resumed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but the debate is far from over. And if The View is any indication, this controversy has only just begun to ripple through the country.