Kelly and Mark Speak Up: A Chat on Kimmel, Politics, and Freedom

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, known for their lighthearted talk show, recently stepped into the political spotlight. They discussed Jimmy Kimmel's return to his late-night show after a brief suspension. This happened because of Kimmel's comments about a tragic shooting and the political fallout that followed. The couple praised Kimmel's character and his heartfelt monologue. They agreed that his words were thoughtful and balanced. Consuelos highlighted the importance of the First Amendment, noting how crucial it is for everyone to have the freedom to express themselves. Ripa added that even though their show avoids political topics, they understand the importance of free speech. They also talked about the challenges of speaking freely in today's climate. Ripa mentioned how careful they have to be with their words, knowing that anything they say could upset someone. Consuelos pointed out that they are aware of their position within the Disney network but believe it was the right decision to bring Kimmel back. Kimmel's monologue addressed his suspension and thanked those who supported him. He emphasized the importance of free speech and the dangers of government censorship. He also thanked conservatives, including Ted Cruz, for supporting his right to express his views. Before the suspension, there was a lot of political maneuvering behind the scenes. Nexstar, a media company, planned to acquire Tegna, another broadcast company. This deal would give Nexstar a significant presence in American households. The acquisition required approval from the FCC, which was controlled by the Trump administration at the time. The controversy started when Kimmel commented on the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. He criticized the political finger-pointing and emphasized the tragedy of the event. Kimmel also addressed Trump's response to Kirk's death, highlighting the president's focus on a new ballroom at the White House instead of the tragedy.