A new debate around free speech in America took center stage as W News host Leigh-Ann Gerrans welcomed Autry Pruitt, former Trump Campaign Surrogate and close friend of Charlie Kirk, alongside comedian James Gardner, to discuss the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The panel focused on whether Kimmel’s suspension represented censorship or simply the right of private companies, such as Disney, to decide what content they broadcast. Pruitt emphasized that while America guarantees free speech, it does not guarantee access to every platform. He pointed out that, for nearly 90 years, the public airwaves in the United States have leaned heavily to the political left, shaping a narrow narrative and excluding alternative viewpoints.
According to Pruitt, the current Republican administration is responding much like Democrats have in the past—leveraging its position to align the airwaves with the values of its voters. With more than half of Americans now identifying with conservative values, he argued that audiences are increasingly rejecting “inconvenient truths, lies, moral high ground, and hypocrisy” coming from the left.
Pruitt did not shy away from controversy, stating that if Democrats used their influence to pull broadcast licenses in the past, Republicans are justified in doing the same today—“what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” Still, he made clear that he opposes rampant government abuse of this authority.
Looking ahead, Pruitt believes his legacy should focus on free speech, Christian faith, and open debate—because in a truly free marketplace of ideas, “the cream will rise to the top.” He welcomed polarization, seeing it as a clarifying moment for the nation: as the divide sharpens, people must decide which side reflects their values. For him, that side is rooted in family, capitalism, faith, fortune, and prayer—and he believes that in such a debate, conservatives will win.
