Ben Stiller claims making comedy is “more challenging” under Donald Trump’s admistration
Ben Stiller has claimed it is “more challenging” to make comedy in Donald Trump’s second term than in previous times.
Last month, Jimmy Kimmel Live was briefly taken off the air due to comments made by the late-night talk show host in regards to the reaction by Trump supporters to the death of Charlie Kirk.
The decision by ABC, following pressure from the FCC, to suspend Kimmel was lauded by Trump, who wrote on Truth Social, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
When the broadcaster eventually brought Kimmel back to air, Trump threatened to sue ABC, stating on the same social media platform, “I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”
While Stiller didn’t directly refer to this incident, he did allude to it during a new interview with the Radio Times, saying, “We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging. You’re seeing that front and centre in our country.”
However, he believes that it’s vital that comedians don’t back down, adding, “But I think it’s important that comedians keep doing what they’re doing, speaking truth to power and being free to say what they want. That’s the most important thing.”
Over the weekend, seven million people took to the streets across America’s 50 states to participate in the No Kings protests, which opposed Trump’s second administration.
The No Kings protests were supported by Robert De Niro, who appeared on MSNBC on October 19th to say of the current political situation in the US, “It’s a classic bully situation. We see it, and there’s no other way to face a bully. You have to face him and fight it out and back them off and back him down. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
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