Jane Fonda joined by more than 550 stars as she relaunches McCarthy-era free speech committee

Hollywood legend Jane Fonda has relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment, in the wake of the Trump administration’s censorship threats. The McCarthy-era initiative was started by her father, Henry Fonda, in the late 1940s.

The revival of the committee has been met with celebrity support. A lot of celebrity support.

More than 550 entertainment figures to join Fonda in opposing the recent government intervention in the media include: Spike Lee, Natalie Portman, Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, Michael Keaton, Viola Davis, Sean Penn, Billie Eilish, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Barry Jenkins, Ethan Hawke, Patrick Stewart, Nicolas Cage, Aaron Sorkin, Julianne Moore, Janelle Monáe, Gracie Abrams, Barbra Streisand and Whoopi Goldberg.

The committee’s official statement reads: “This Committee was initially created during the McCarthy Era, a dark time when the federal government repressed and persecuted American citizens for their political beliefs. They targeted elected officials, government employees, academics, and artists. They were blacklisted, harassed, silenced, and even imprisoned.” 

“The McCarthy Era ended when Americans from across the political spectrum finally came together and stood up for the principles in the Constitution against the forces of repression. Those forces have returned. And it is our turn to stand together in defence of our constitutional rights. The federal government is once again engaged in a coordinated campaign to silence critics in the government, the media, the judiciary, academia, and the entertainment industry.“ 

“We refuse to stand by and let that happen. Free speech and free expression are the inalienable rights of every American of all backgrounds and political beliefs – no matter how liberal or conservative you may be. The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.” 

The statement continued: “We know there is power in solidarity and strength in numbers. We will stand together—fiercely united—to defend free speech and expression from this assault. This is not a partisan issue. That is why we urge every American who cares about the First Amendment—the cornerstone of our democracy—and every artist around the globe who looks to the United States as a beacon of freedom to join us.” 

“And to those who profit from our work while threatening the livelihoods of everyday working people, bowing to government censorship, and cowering to brute intimidation: we see you and history will not forget. This will not be the last you hear from us.” 

The original committee was founded in response to the House un-American activities committee, led by senator Joseph McCarthy, which accused entertainment figures of being communist sympathizers.

This infamously created a climate of suspicion - “Red Scare” paranoia defined by repression - and derailed careers.

After the mid-1950s, McCarthy lost public popularity and credibility after many of his accusations were found to be false. 

“I’m 87 years old,” said Fonda. “I’ve seen war, repression, protest, and backlash. I’ve been celebrated, and I’ve been branded an enemy of the state. But I can tell you this: this is the most frightening moment of my life.” 

“When I feel scared, I look to history. I wish there were a secret playbook with all the answers – but there never has been. The only thing that has ever worked – time and time again – is solidarity: binding together, finding bravery in numbers too big to ignore, and standing up for one another.” 

Fonda’s initiative follows Disney’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! - under pressure from the Trump administration.

The move was met with protests, condemnation on both sides of the political aisle, and worries that the Trump administration was threatening First Amendment rights.  

Meanwhile, Trump celebrated the suspension of Kimmel’s show, calling it “great news for America.” He repeatedly praised FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Chairman Brendan Carr for his actions, telling reporters last month that Carr should revoke broadcasters’ licenses for unfavourable coverage. 

“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” former President Barack Obama wrote on X at the time.

“This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.” 

Ultimately, ABC brought back Kimmel. Trump threatened to “test ABC” after the broadcaster reinstated the comedian.  

Brendan Carr, the pro-Trump chair of the FCC, will reportedly testify before a Senate Commerce Committee panel in November after the bipartisan backlash regarding his role in Kimmel’s suspension.