The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: Season 3, Episode 18

3 - 18: No Laughing Matter: Free Speech Under Attack

CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper returns with an examination of how Jimmy Kimmel ignited a fiery First Amendment debate across the country. In this episode, Tapper traces the extraordinary events that led to this precarious moment for free speech in America. The episode centers around the murder of Charlie Kirk, which shocked a nation. Tapper explores how the Trump administration's reaction to Kirk's death culminated in comedian Jimmy Kimmel's multi-day suspension from the air; and he explains the lesser-known business considerations at play that may have contributed to the decision. Tapper helps viewers make sense of this moment: examining the history of political comedy in late night, how both parties have made attempts to censor the media and control the narrative, and what President Trump's unprecedented actions could spell for the future of the First Amendment.