US comedian Kimmel calls Trump threats ‘anti-American'

TV host Jimmy Kimmel defended free speech when he returned to US screens on Tuesday, calling government pressure on his late-night talk show “anti-American” as critics decried his suspension as an attack on constitutional rights.

- STORY: PAULA RAMON / AFP

In his opening monologue, an emotional Kimmel praised the public outrage — which came from both left and right — over his suspension, as President Donald Trump once again threatened to sue ABC, the TV network that carries the show.

“A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American,” Kimmel said to wild applause.

“Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.”