(The Hill) – A majority of American voters are pessimistic about freedom of speech being protected, according to a poll released Wednesday.

In the survey from Quinnipiac University, 53 percent of respondents said they are “pessimistic” when it comes to freedom of speech being protected in the U.S., while 43 percent said they are “optimistic” and 3 percent were unsure or did not respond. The same poll notes that nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said the U.S. is in a political crisis.

The findings come as controversy swirls over the recent suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC and its implications for First Amendment protections. The comedian sparked a firestorm with comments made on his show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week regarding responses by President Trump and others on the political right since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s statements provoked a rebuke from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr.

On Tuesday, Trump slammed ABC over reinstating Kimmel after taking him off the air last week.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there.

“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” he added.

The Quinnipiac poll was conducted from Sept. 18-21, reaching 1,276 respondents and having a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.