• Zohran Mamdani canceled a WABC town hall to protest Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.
• Mamdani accused Disney and ABC of compromising press freedom under corporate pressure.
• After Kimmel's reinstatement, Mamdani described the decision as a victory for free speech.

Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani announced his withdrawal from a WABC town hall, originally scheduled for Thursday, in response to ABC's suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Mamdani expressed that his decision was a stand for free speech, stating, “I am withdrawing not as an indictment of the local affiliate or the hardworking journalists, but rather in response to the corporate leaders who have put their bottom line ahead of their responsibility in upholding the freedom of the press,” according to Business Insider and The Hill.

Mamdani's protest follows Kimmel's indefinite suspension after comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension reportedly stemmed from pressure by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other broadcasters that led to an atmosphere critics describe as “authoritarianism.” The FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had issued comments perceived as threats to broadcasters regarding their programming decisions. Mamdani’s remarks highlight a concern that such actions undermine free speech rights, as he refers to the cowardice of entities like Disney in addressing the pressure from the Trump administration, as detailed in Business Insider and The Hill.

However, after ABC announced Kimmel’s reinstatement, Mamdani reversed his decision and indicated his intention to participate in the town hall, labeling the reinstatement as a victory for free speech. He stated, “Last week, Disney/ABC caved to Trump administration pressure. Millions of Americans helped them find their backbone,” according to India Times.

The situation has drawn significant media attention, exemplifying the ongoing national debate surrounding free speech and corporate accountability in the media landscape. Reactions have extended across political lines, with various public figures emphasizing the implications for the First Amendment rights of individuals amid corporate censorship pressures, as noted by Business Insider, The Hill, and India Times.