Washington, D.C. — On Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared on Fox News with host Kayleigh McEnany to respond to former President Barack Obama’s sharp criticism over the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Obama, writing on X Thursday, warned of a “dangerous trend” of government pressure on media companies. He argued that the administration routinely threatens regulatory action against outlets unless they silence voices it dislikes. “This is precisely the kind of government coercion the First Amendment was designed to prevent,” Obama said, urging networks to resist political influence. His statement quickly went viral, drawing praise from free speech advocates and criticism from conservatives who accused him of politicizing the issue.
Leavitt, however, rejected Obama’s claims. “With all due respect to former President Obama, he has no idea what he’s talking about,” she told McEnany. She stressed that the decision to suspend Kimmel’s show rested entirely with network executives, not the White House.
The clash has reignited debate over government influence in media. While Jimmy Kimmel Live remains suspended indefinitely, uncertainty surrounds its future — and the broader battle over press freedom rages on.
