Trump's War on Kimmel and Meyers: What's Next?
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel found himself once again in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump, after Trump reportedly demanded that ABC fire the comedian. Trump's message, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, was blunt and scathing, labeling Kimmel as "a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS" and calling for the network to "get the bum off the air," as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Kimmel's response was almost immediate.
Kimmel's Defiant Response
Rather than retreating, Kimmel reportedly met Trump's demand with a mix of humor and defiance during his show that same night. He opened his monologue with a pointed greeting to viewers at the White House, signaling that he was well aware of the president's attention. Kimmel reflected on how his wife informed him of Trump's latest call for his firing that morning saying, "I woke up this morning, I'm in bed, my wife comes out of the bathroom – she's got her phone. She goes, 'Um, Trump tweeted you should be fired again.' I was like, 'Oh,' and then I went downstairs and made bagels for the kids," as reported by The Guardian.
Kimmel reportedly did not hold back in mocking Trump's repeated attempts to silence him. He reminded the audience that this was not the first time Trump had tried to get him off the air, referencing a similar episode in September when Kimmel's show was briefly suspended under pressure from ABC's affiliate partners and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr, who was appointed by Trump.
"You tried to get me fired in September, and it didn't work," Kimmel said, as reported by The Daily Beast, praising Trump's persistence with a sarcastic nod to his "tenacity." He then offered a tongue-in-cheek deal: he would leave the show if Trump resigned, suggesting they "ride off into the sunset together like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
The "Quiet, Piggy" Moment
Kimmel's retort took a sharp turn into personal territory when he addressed Trump directly with the phrase "quiet, piggy," as reported by The Daily Beast, a line that quickly grabbed headlines for its biting tone, echoing the President's own remarks to a reporter earlier in the week on Air Force One. This moment underscored the escalating tension between the comedian and the president, highlighting a clash that goes beyond mere entertainment into the realm of political and cultural conflict.
Despite the humor, the seriousness of a sitting president repeatedly calling for a broadcaster to fire a comedian raises questions about the boundaries of free speech and the influence of political power over media outlets. Kimmel himself pointed out the nature of these repeated demands, likening Trump's behavior to that of a "snowflake" who flips out every few weeks and wants him off the air, as reported by The Guardian.
The FCC's Role and Media Power
The conflict between Kimmel and Trump is not just a personal feud; it has drawn in regulatory bodies and media companies, shining a light on the power dynamics within American broadcasting. The FCC, under the leadership of Brendan Carr, announced a public comment period to review whether national broadcasters like ABC have too much control over local stations, a move widely seen as connected to the pressure that led to Kimmel's temporary suspension in September.
Carr has argued that local stations lack sufficient authority to pre-empt national programming when it conflicts with local interests. This regulatory scrutiny comes amid accusations that political pressure is being used to influence programming decisions, raising concerns about the erosion of editorial independence and free speech protections.
Broader Implications and Other Targets
Kimmel's situation is part of a broader pattern of Trump targeting late-night hosts and media figures he perceives as adversaries. The president has reportedly lobbied NBC to fire Seth Meyers and allegedly sought the removal of CNN hosts Brianna Keilar and Erin Burnett, aiming to reshape the media landscape to favor outlets more aligned with his views, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Meyers responded to Trump's attacks with humor, likening the president's behavior to an angry driver saying, "As I've said before, I prefer to handle these situations the way you handle an angry driver who honks and flips you off on the highway," Meyers said, as reported by The Guardian. "You just ignore them – unless you're in New Jersey, then, technically, that's a marriage proposal."
Kimmel's Commentary on Trump's Threats
Beyond the calls for his firing, Kimmel also addressed more alarming statements from Trump, including threats to execute six members of Congress who had advised military personnel not to follow unlawful orders. Kimmel highlighted the gravity of these threats, noting that Trump's rhetoric included all-caps warnings about "SEDICIOUS BEHAVIOR" and calls to "LOCK THEM UP," which he contrasted with the comparatively trivial issue of losing a TV show, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Kimmel suggested that Trump's aggressive tone might have been influenced by his recent meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a figure linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, underscoring the complex and often controversial nature of Trump's political alliances.
The Fight Over a Late-Night Host
Through all the pressure and public attacks, Kimmel has maintained his role as a late-night host, using humor and wit to respond to the president's provocations. His ability to turn Trump's demands into comedic material demonstrates a resilience that resonates with some viewers and highlights the ongoing tension between political power and media freedom in the US.
In the end, Kimmel's message to Trump was clear: he's not going anywhere — at least not until Trump is ready to ride off into the sunset himself. And with a sharp "quiet, piggy" to punctuate the point, the late-night host made sure his defiance was heard loud and clear.
References: Jimmy Kimmel accuses Trump of trying to get him fired and tells him: 'Quiet, piggy' | US news | The Guardian | Jimmy Kimmel responds to Donald Trump's renewed call for firing of the talk show host | Jimmy Kimmel Trolls 'Piggy' Donald Trump's Enraged Demand to Cancel Him
