Staff Reports
Cancel culture has never been as pervasive or as selective as it is today. Just take a look back at the 2013 Missouri State Fair when a rodeo clown wore a mask depicting then-President Obama. What was once a harmless act of satire quickly exploded into a national scandal; the clown was banned for life, and sensitivity training was imposed for future performers. The mainstream media relentlessly pursued the story, painting the act as a grave offense while feigning little tolerance for humor that didn’t align with progressive values. The message from the Left was clear: mocking certain politicians is no laughing matter.
Contrast this with the fate of Roseanne Barr, whose prime-time success was abruptly ended after an ill-advised tweet. ABC dropped her show and erased her from their lineup in record time, making her the latest victim of cancel culture. While she made a mistake in her wording, it’s undeniable that the punishment far outweighed the crime. Strikingly, many of those who cheered her downfall did so purely because Barr openly supported President Trump’s America First agenda—proof that when you step out of line with liberal Hollywood, the consequences are swift and unforgiving.
Fast forward to today, and the story takes yet another twist with Jimmy Kimmel. The late-night host, who often targets conservatives, recently found himself on the receiving end of outrage after remarks concerning the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. ABC and affiliate broadcasters pulled his show indefinitely, citing “inappropriate and deeply insensitive” comments. Suddenly, the very crowd that sat silent or jubilant when Roseanne was erased began to bemoan the supposed injustice of Kimmel’s suspension. Talk about selective outrage—the hypocrisy on display is almost comedic.
Of course, defenders of cancel culture attempt to draw lines in the sand, rationalizing each new victim as either deserving or exempt based on their political affiliations. The reality, however, is that those who wield the cancel culture sword rarely hold themselves accountable for their own missteps, preferring instead to shout down voices on the right while offering second chances and apologies for those on their own team. There’s little doubt that if Kimmel’s politics were aligned with those of Roseanne, the mob would have been merciless, and redemption out of reach.
In today’s America, free speech and the very ability to laugh at our leaders hang in the balance. The clown at the Missouri State Fair was right—there’s a lot more to be mad at these days than a comedian with a mask or a tweet taken out of context. Until both sides are judged by the same standard, cancel culture will remain a farce—punishing those who dare to push back against the progressive narrative, while shielding those who fight to silence dissent. No one should be immune from scrutiny, but all deserve a country where humor, satire, and even disagreement aren’t crimes but cherished freedoms.
