Jimmy Kimmel’s shocking firing by ABC has split Hollywood into warring camps, with outraged supporters blaming greed and censorship while critics insist his downfall was inevitable, leaving late-night television shaken and the industry bitterly divided.

The firing of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC has sent Hollywood into open conflict, splitting the entertainment industry in a way rarely seen since the infamous late-night feuds of the 1990s.

The decision, announced last week in Los Angeles, continues to dominate headlines as actors, comedians, producers, and political commentators flood social media and red carpets with sharp, emotional reactions.

What was once a shock is quickly spiraling into an industry-wide drama that is forcing insiders to pick sides — either defending Kimmel as a victim of corporate greed and political censorship or declaring that his time had simply run out.

On one side, celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Trevor Noah, and Stephen Colbert have rushed to Kimmel’s defense, portraying his ouster as a dangerous turning point for free expression on network television.

“ABC killed comedy the second they killed Jimmy,” Colbert declared during an emotional monologue last Thursday.

Ellen DeGeneres, who has long been close friends with Kimmel, doubled down in an Instagram post that quickly went viral, writing, “This isn’t just about Jimmy — it’s about the soul of late-night.

If this is how networks treat the people who’ve given them decades, none of us are safe.”

Trevor Noah, speaking at a New York charity gala on Saturday night, was even harsher, calling the firing a “cheap stunt” designed to inflate ratings while silencing a voice that had often tackled politics head-on.

“They didn’t just fire Jimmy Kimmel,” Noah snapped.

“They fired every joke that made people uncomfortable, and that’s the saddest punchline of all.

” His fiery words earned cheers from the audience but also added fuel to the growing outrage online.

Yet, not everyone is mourning.

A surprising number of insiders have spoken out in defense of ABC’s move, insisting that Kimmel’s sharp political humor and sometimes polarizing commentary had long alienated viewers.

One unnamed veteran producer told Variety, “Jimmy stopped being funny years ago.

He turned his show into a lecture hall, and audiences turned away.

ABC had to make a business decision, and frankly, it was overdue.”

Comedian Bill Maher, never one to shy away from controversy, offered a mixed but biting take on his HBO show.

“Look, I like Jimmy, but he played with fire.

He made enemies not just in politics but in Hollywood too, and if you do that long enough, eventually the blowback comes for you.

Maybe he had it coming.” The remark instantly set off a firestorm on Twitter, with hashtags like #StandWithKimmel and #KimmelGotWhatHeDeserved trending simultaneously.

The split has created awkward moments at public events.

At Sunday’s Emmy pre-party in Beverly Hills, several attendees reportedly avoided each other as the subject of Kimmel’s firing dominated small talk.

A witness described the atmosphere as “tense and divided,” with some stars raising toasts in Kimmel’s honor while others rolled their eyes and changed the subject.

“It was like a family fight you couldn’t escape from,” the guest recalled.

Behind the scenes, ABC has defended its decision, citing “creative direction” and “changing audience demands” in a carefully worded statement.

But critics argue that the network’s vague explanation only fuels suspicion that political pressure and advertiser concerns were at play.

Kimmel, who has yet to give a full public statement, was reportedly “blindsided and devastated” by the announcement, according to sources close to him.

Ratings for nearly all the major hosts have declined in recent years as streaming platforms and social media dominate younger audiences.

“The entire format is struggling,” said media analyst Rebecca Doyle.

“Kimmel became the lightning rod, but the truth is late-night TV has been fighting for relevance for years.

His firing just ripped the bandage off a wound everyone already knew was there.”

Still, Kimmel’s absence leaves a massive hole in ABC’s lineup, and speculation is rampant about who might replace him.

Names ranging from Seth Meyers to Hasan Minhaj are circulating, though no official announcements have been made.

Fans have already begun petitions demanding Kimmel’s reinstatement, while critics insist it is time for a new era of voices less tied to political controversy.

What remains undeniable is that Jimmy Kimmel’s firing has done more than just end a career milestone — it has exposed the cracks running through Hollywood’s foundations.

As celebrities keep trading blows in public and networks scramble to control the narrative, the scandal is fast becoming a defining moment in entertainment history.

Whether this ends in reconciliation or permanent division, one thing is certain: late-night television will never look the same again.