US TV hosts back Jimmy Kimmel and lampoon Donald Trump in free speech row

America's leading late-night TV hosts lament Jimmy Kimmel's suspension as a "blatant assault on freedom of speech".

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Stephen Colbert began his show by saying "we are all Jimmy Kimmel", and said the star's removal was a "blatant assault on freedom of speech".

Seth Meyers declared it was "a privilege and honour to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend", while Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon tackled the free speech issue by doing satirical sketches in which they were apparently forced to praise Donald Trump.

Their broadcasts came shortly after the US president said the main networks were overwhelmingly negative about him and could have their licences "taken away".

Watch: Ros Atkins on… What Jimmy Kimmel being taken off air means for free speech in the USFor years, Trump has focused on those in the media who he views as his opponents.