David Letterman Slams Trump Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
David Letterman, 2019. Photo courtesy of Zach Catanzareti under CC BY 2.0.
UPDATE: Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back on the air. ABC reversed its suspension after public backlash and criticism from major figures, including David Letterman.
David Letterman, the legendary late-night host, did not hold back when he spoke out against the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at The Atlantic Festival in New York. Letterman condemned the move as a symptom of "managed media." He accused President Donald Trump's administration and Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr of exerting authoritarian pressure on the media landscape. The suspension of Kimmel's show by ABC, following public outcry from the FCC and network affiliates, has ignited a fierce debate over free speech and political influence in entertainment.
Letterman Warns of Authoritarian Influence
Letterman, who hosted "The Late Show" on CBS for 22 years before retiring in 2015, described the current media environment as "misery" and warned that the crackdown on comedians like Kimmel signals a dangerous trend, as reported by The Daily Beast. He criticized the FCC chair's threats against Disney and ABC, which led directly to Kimmel's removal from the air. Letterman called the tactics "ridiculous" and likened the FCC's approach to something out of a mafia novel. He questioned who was hiring such "goons," referencing the language used by Carr when he said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," in his warnings to Disney executives.
The Trigger: Kimmel's Monologue on Charlie Kirk Murder
The controversy began after Kimmel's monologue on Monday night, where he addressed the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel suggested that the MAGA movement was trying to distance itself from the alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, and mocked Trump for appearing more concerned about a new White House ballroom than the tragedy. These comments sparked outrage among conservative circles and prompted FCC chair Brendan Carr to publicly threaten ABC and Disney with regulatory action. Carr urged affiliate groups to "push back" by dropping Kimmel's show from their lineups until Disney leaders could "straighten this out," as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Affiliate Groups Force ABC's Hand
Following Carr's call to action, major affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would preempt the show, effectively forcing ABC to suspend Kimmel indefinitely. This move was widely seen as a capitulation to political pressure, raising alarms about the independence of media outlets and the chilling effect on free expression. Letterman's remarks at The Atlantic Festival underscored these fears, as he framed the suspension as a "managed media" environment where fear and authoritarian influence dictate who gets to speak, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Public Condemnation of the Suspension
The suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" drew condemnation from a broad range of politicians and entertainers. Former President Barack Obama, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, late-night host Stephen Colbert, and comedy veterans Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien all reportedly voiced their disapproval of the move. Their criticism highlighted concerns about political interference in media and the potential erosion of free speech protections in entertainment.
Trump Hits Back
President Trump took to Truth Social to attack Letterman personally. According to Entertainment Weekly, Trump dismissed Letterman as "highly overrated," claimed his ratings were "never very good," and said he "looks like hell." He concluded his post by calling Letterman a "loser," turning the debate into a personal feud rather than engaging with the substance of the criticism.
Pattern of Targeting Late-Night Hosts
Trump's response was consistent with his pattern of targeting late-night hosts by name. He has previously called for the firing of Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon, and after CBS canceled "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert, Trump declared that Kimmel was "NEXT," as reported by The Daily Beast. His dismissal of Letterman's legacy and appearance sidestepped the broader issue of political interference in media and instead focused on personal insults.
Letterman's Enduring Influence
Letterman, however, remains a respected figure among his peers and younger comedians. Jimmy Kimmel has called Letterman the "main reason" he got into television, and Letterman's outspoken defense of Kimmel has been seen as a stand for the principle of free speech in comedy. Letterman also spoke out strongly against the cancellation of Colbert's show, calling it "pure cowardice" in a lengthy public rant, as reported by The Daily Beast, signaling his unwillingness to be silenced by political or corporate pressure.
The Ongoing Public Feud
In the meantime, the feud between Letterman and Trump continues to unfold publicly, with each side using their platforms to rally supporters and shape the narrative. Letterman's call to recognize the dangers of censorship and Trump's insistence on dismissing critics as "losers" reflect the polarized nature of today's media and political landscape.
References: Jimmy Kimmel's Idol David Letterman Slams 'Authoritarian Criminal' Trump | Trump trashes 'overrated' David Letterman after Jimmy Kimmel comments | Trump Snaps at David Letterman for Calling Him Out on Kimmel
