Armstrong defends free speech after Kimmel’s pull — posts supportive image and teases low-pressure side projects beyond Green Day.
ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air after the host made a controversial comment about the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
The late-night show was “pre-empted indefinitely,” the network said, after Kimmel suggested on air that the “MAGA gang” was trying to score political points off the killing — a remark that drew swift backlash and a public warning from the Federal Communications Commission’s chair.
Among those weighing in was Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Armstrong posted an image of Kimmel paired with Ice-T’s phrase “Freedom of Speech,” a clear sign that he disagrees with ABC’s decision to remove the host.
The post didn’t get into legal or policy minutiae, but the image itself made Armstrong’s stance plain: he views the suspension as a troubling hit to free expression.
The episode comes as Armstrong is already thinking about life beyond Green Day. In a recent interview, he said he’s interested in branching out creatively — not to abandon the band, but to keep music fun. “I don’t have anything planned right now,” Armstrong said, then added that he’d love to play shows with his side project Pinhead Gunpowder, which released a record this year.
He also mentioned his cover band, The Coverups, as something he enjoys — casual, pressure-free performances with friends that help him avoid getting “completely locked in” on Green Day.
That mix of reaction and reflection shows Armstrong wearing two hats: a public figure who’s comfortable pushing back when institutions take action he finds heavy-handed, and an artist who’s actively reshaping how he spends his creative energy.
His social-media post about Kimmel landed squarely in the free-speech camp, while his interview about side projects paints a picture of a musician trying to stay playful and grounded.
Readers: what do you think — was ABC justified in suspending Kimmel, or does this feel like an overreach? Share your thoughts below.