Piers Morgan found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with actor John Cleese following Jimmy Kimmel’s show being suspended. The American TV presenter’s late-night show has been pulled off the air “indefinitely” after the host’s comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC confirmed the suspension after Kimmel said earlier in the week that the “MAGA gang” was trying to “score political points” from the fatal shooting of Kirk.
Shortly after the news hit the headlines, the former Good Morning Britain host, 60, took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share his thoughts on the host’s removal. He wrote: “Jimmy Kimmel lied about Charlie Kirk’s assassin being MAGA. This caused understandable outrage all over America, prompting TV station owners to say they wouldn’t air him, and he’s not been suspended by his employers. Why is he being heralded as some kind of free speech martyr?”
After seeing his comments online, the Fawlty Towers star, 85, jumped at the chance to shut him down online. He posted: “This from Piers Morgan, who has made a fortune working for Rupert Murdoch.”
And Piers didn’t waste any time snapping back at the actor online with: “You took Rupert’s money too, you flaming old hypocrite. I’m just proud of it.”
It didn’t take long before their fiery exchange sparked fan reaction in the comments online. One user penned: “Fair point – both you and Cleese cashed Murdoch’s checks! But Kimmel’s suspension reeks of govt overreach, with Trump’s FCC flexing muscle. Many Americans see this threat to free speech. Irony’s rich when media wars turn into censorship battles.”
Another agreed: “Piers, you’re both sellouts. Hypocrisy stinks worse than your old tabloid scandals.” A third echoed: “This is less a debate and more a petty war – two sides of the same Rupert coin exposed!”
Despite his removal, a slew of American TV hosts have rallied behind Kimmel after he was suspended. Stephen Colbert began his show by saying "we are all Jimmy Kimmel" and argued that the star's removal was a "blatant assault on freedom of speech".
Seth Meyers declared it was "a privilege and honour to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend", while Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon tackled the free speech issue by doing satirical sketches in which they were apparently forced to praise Donald Trump.
Their broadcasts came shortly after the US president said the main networks were overwhelmingly negative about him and could have their licences "taken away". For years, Trump has focused on those in the media whom he views as opponents.
This latest decision has sent a chill through liberal America - and encouraged the president's supporters who have railed against the late-night talk show hosts who criticise him.
