‘Very heavy times’: Angelina Jolie reacts to free speech decline

**”Very Heavy Times”: Angelina Jolie Reacts to Free Speech Decline**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Sep 22, 2025, 05:30 PM*

Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie recently voiced her concerns about the current state of free speech in the United States during an appearance at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival. Reflecting on the nation’s atmosphere, Jolie remarked, “I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country.”

Though she refrained from naming specific individuals or providing detailed context, her comments come amid growing controversy surrounding Disney and ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend the popular show *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*.

### Free Speech Concerns

Jolie elaborated on her apprehensions as both an artist and an American. She shared, “My worldview is equal, united and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous. These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.”

Her statement underscores a widespread anxiety among creatives and public figures about limitations on free expression in increasingly polarized times.

### Discontent Among Disney Stars

The suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* has sparked backlash from numerous Disney-affiliated actors and filmmakers. Mark Ruffalo, known for his role as Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), expressed his criticism on Threads, warning that Disney’s stock “will go down a lot further if they cancel” Kimmel’s show permanently.

Similarly, Pedro Pascal, star of Disney’s *Fantastic Four: First Steps* and other forthcoming projects, voiced his support for Kimmel on Instagram. Other notable figures including Tatiana Maslany and Damon Lindelof also spoke out against the suspension, emphasizing solidarity within the Hollywood community.

### Suspension Details: Why Was Kimmel Suspended?

The indefinite suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* followed comments made by Kimmel regarding the aftermath of a fatal shooting involving conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), publicly criticized Kimmel’s remarks, fueling a social media backlash.

In response to the controversy, ABC, a Disney-owned network, decided to suspend Kimmel’s show indefinitely, a move that has intensified the debate on free speech and media responsibility.

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As the discussion around free speech continues to evolve, Angelina Jolie’s candid reflections highlight the complexity and gravity of expressing oneself in today’s charged political environment.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/don-t-recognize-my-country-says-angelina-after-kimmel-speech-outcome/story