A QUESTION Time audience member corrected broadcaster Fiona Bruce’s explanation on the suspension of a popular US late-night host.
The man asked whether the UK should take lectures on free speech from the USA after Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air “indefinitely” following comments he made about the response to the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk .
In episodes on Monday and Tuesday, Kimmel mocked Donald Trump ’s response, saying it was “not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend” and that his supporters were “working very hard to capitalise” on the incident.
On Thursday’s episode of Question Time, Bruce said Kimmel was suspended because of “comments made about Charlie Kirk and claims he made about the person who … is a suspect in killing Charlie Kirk”.
“This was felt, certainly by Donald Trump and others to be very offensive”, she added.
In response, the audience member said: “See, the comments weren’t about Charlie Kirk. They were about the people already almost gleefully weaponizing his death to advance their agenda.”
Underrated moment from tonight’s Question Time. Audience member corrects Bruce’s ‘explanation’ for Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension. Could easily have gone unchallenged. Facts matter. Well done Patrick 👏#bbcqt #JimmyKimmelLive pic.twitter.com/NDJQMMhrTi
— Camilla Pearce (@pearceyp78) September 18, 2025
Piers Morgan , who was on the panel, interjected to say the claim was “not true” and had “an untruthful meaning”, prompting Bruce to cut through the rabble saying: “Piers, we’re thrilled to have you on the panel and we will come back to it but you’ve just got to let him make his point.”
During the episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live, which led to ABC pulling the show, the presenter made several remarks about the reaction to Kirk’s killing, including that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk”.
Kimmel later mocked vice president JD Vance for appearing on Kirk’s podcast.
The decision to suspend the show was met with criticism from several famous names, including Jamie Lee Curtis and California governor Gavin Newsom.
The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) released a statement saying: “The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.”
Trump responded to the show’s suspension, saying: “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even (Stephen) Colbert, if that’s possible.”
In a press conference during his state visit to the UK, he added: “So, you know, you could call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent.”
Stephen Colbert, another late-night host and vocal critic of Trump, is set to be cancelled next May.
Governor Newsom called the cancellation of shows and firing of commentators “coordinated” and “dangerous”.
