What's Inside?
- Jimmy Fallon broke his political silence, defending Kimmel and mocking censorship with a sketch highlighting comedy’s clash with political sensitivities.
- Barack Obama and Kamala Harris condemned Kimmel’s suspension, framing it as intimidation and a dangerous threat to America’s free speech rights.
- Stephen Colbert and David Letterman joined the backlash, warning Disney’s move sets a troubling precedent of political pressure shaping media.
Jimmy Fallon stepped into unfamiliar territory on The Tonight Show when he addressed the sudden suspension of fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The move by ABC, reportedly influenced by FCC pressure, has sent shockwaves across the entertainment world and fueled a heated conversation about censorship, politics, and the role of comedy in public discourse.
Jimmy Kimmel Controversy and Jimmy Fallon’s Reaction
On Wednesday, ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air after Jimmy Kimmel criticized the political right for attempting to distance itself from the suspected killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In his monologue, Kimmel remarked, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.” His comments drew backlash, with ABC’s largest affiliate group, Nexstar, citing “offensive and insensitive” remarks as the reason behind the suspension.
Jimmy reacts to ABC’s decision to suspend @JimmyKimmel after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking WTF? #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/v5wLrPEAOM
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) September 19, 2025
Fallon, who has traditionally steered clear of politics, decided he couldn’t stay silent.
“Well guys, the big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC, after pressure from the FCC leaving everyone thinking, ‘WTF,’” he told his audience, drawing laughs before turning sincere. “To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on — no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he is a decent, funny, and loving guy. And I hope he comes back.”
Fallon then continued his monologue as usual, but introduced a bit where an announcer censored his jokes whenever they touched on Donald Trump. The sketch highlighted the tension between comedy, free speech, and political sensitivities. Eventually, Fallon dropped the gag and returned to directly mocking Trump’s trip to the U.K., refusing to shy away from satire.
“A lot of people are worried that we won’t keep saying what we want to say, or that we’ll be censored, but I’m going to cover the president’s trip to the UK, just like I normally would.”
Donald Trump’s Response and What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel
President Trump quickly seized on Kimmel’s suspension, declaring on Truth Social.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote late Wednesday. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT,” the post read.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to @ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Vhj6DQSssu
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 18, 2025
Despite Trump’s attacks, Fallon made it clear he stands by Kimmel. His support echoed Jude Law’s appearance on the show, where the actor said he hoped Fallon and other late-night hosts “remain on the air tomorrow night, the night after that, and all the other good people that present these TV shows.”
For now, Kimmel’s future on ABC remains uncertain. While his ratings had dipped in recent months, the official reason cited for his suspension was the nature of his comments. The debate, however, goes beyond numbers — it raises the bigger question of whether late-night comedy can survive without risking censorship when politics are part of the punchline.
Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Others React to Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Being Axed
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has ignited a storm of criticism from political leaders and entertainers alike, raising fresh concerns over the state of free speech in America. The late-night host’s show was pulled indefinitely by Disney-owned ABC after his on-air comments linked the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
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. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 18, 2025
Former President Barack Obama was quick to voice his alarm, pointing directly at Trump’s influence over media decisions. Taking to X, Obama wrote, “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.” His remarks framed the suspension as part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent.
Kamala Harris reacts to ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ being pulled off the air:
“This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. Media corporations — from television networks to newspapers — are capitulating to these threats.” pic.twitter.com/IXXgkE22Yv
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 18, 2025
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in, though without naming Kimmel or Disney. She called the situation an abuse of power, warning,
“This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. Media corporations — from television networks to newspapers — are capitulating to these threats. We cannot dare to be silent or complacent in the face of this frontal assault on free speech. We, the People, deserve better.”
The backlash extended beyond politics. Stephen Colbert used his platform on The Late Show to deliver a fiery defense of his late-night colleague. “I’m your host, Stephen Colbert, but tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel,” he declared to his audience, describing the suspension as “blatant censorship.” Colbert warned viewers, “With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch. Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff 100%.”
Veteran host David Letterman echoed the sentiment at The Atlantic Festival, calling the episode evidence of “managed media.” He criticized Disney’s decision as both cowardly and dangerous, adding, “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office. That’s just not how this works.”
David Letterman to Jeffrey Goldberg on Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension: “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian—a criminal—administration in the Oval Office. That’s just not how this works.” #TAF25 pic.twitter.com/yJxXOXjlj4
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) September 18, 2025
The growing chorus of voices defending Kimmel underscores a deeper debate about press freedom and political influence in the U.S. While Kimmel’s future on air remains uncertain, the outrage has turned his suspension into more than a late-night TV dispute. It has become a flashpoint in the fight over whether criticism of those in power will remain a protected right, or whether media companies will fold under political pressure.
