Late-Night TV Hosts Condemn Trump’s Authoritarian Tactics Following Kimmel Suspension
Late-night television hosts have joined forces to denounce President Donald Trump’s administration for what they perceive as authoritarian tactics, following the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show by ABC. The decision to pull Kimmel off air came after his comments on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which he appeared to associate with the MAGA movement. Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Jimmy Fallon have all publicly endorsed Kimmel, accusing the Trump administration of censorship and undermining First Amendment freedoms.
In response, ABC cited pressure from Trump-appointed FCC chair Brendan Carr, who had warned the network to ‘take action’ against Kimmel, calling his remarks ‘truly sick.’ Meanwhile, top Democrats and former President Barack Obama have also criticized the Trump administration for its perceived overreach, arguing that the move represents a dangerous escalation of cancel culture.
Support for Kimmel has been bipartisan, with comedians across the political spectrum condemning the censure. Stephen Colbert, known for his sharp wit and political satire, lambasted ABC and the Trump regime for ‘blatant censorship,’ suggesting that the network’s actions were naive in the face of an authoritarian administration. Similarly, Jon Stewart mocked the situation by adopting a satirical caricature of a dictator’s propagandist, joking that his show would be ‘another fun, hilarious, administration-compliant show.’ These comedic rants underscored the broader frustration with the administration’s approach to free speech.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon defended Kimmel, calling him ‘a decent, funny and loving guy,’ and called for his reinstatement. The backlash against Trump’s tactics has been growing, with calls for FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s resignation and concerns about the erosion of free expression in the United States.