Dear Friend,
It’s not just about the jokes.
The Trump administration claims to defend free speech, but doesn’t seem to have a grasp on what it actually is. PEN America can say what it isn’t with absolute certainty, and that is cancelling satirical late-night shows for edgy political jokes, or threatening broadcasting licenses for anyone who gives negative coverage of the president. That is censorship, plain and simple.
The Trump administration’s crusade against free speech crossed a historic line with the indefinite removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — a direct attack on dissent, humor, and the right to speak freely. The Federal Communications Commission sent a chilling message: Commentary, even jokes, that challenge the president or his favored narratives will be met with swift retaliation.
If you’re enraged, we are with you. Channel that rage into action. PEN America was born for this. With your support, PEN America will continue to fight for the freedom to read, write, and speak, and we’re not backing down. This moment is much bigger than a late-night talk show, it’s precedent-setting for what, as a nation, we choose to accept — and when we choose to push back. We need you with us in this fundamental fight for free expression.
Say no to government overreach and censorship, no to the politicization of what constitutes “free speech,” and yes to making jokes about government officials.
