Following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live by ABC, Jon Stewart made a surprise appearance as the host of The Daily Show to share his thoughts on the situation.
Although September 18 was a Thursday, Stewart felt compelled to address Kimmel’s suspension, which stemmed from comments Kimmel made regarding the reaction of Trump and his supporters to the murder of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk. This incident provoked backlash from Nexstar Media, Sinclair Group, and the FCC, leading to Kimmel’s suspension.
Rather than launching an angry tirade, Stewart opted for a sarcastic tone in his political commentary. He was introduced as a “patriotically obedient host,” referring to Trump as “father” and a “dear leader.”
Stewart noted, “If you’ve felt a little off these past few days, it’s probably because our great father has not been around, as he graces England with his legendary warmth and radiance.”
While never mentioning Kimmel by name, Stewart alluded to the controversy by stating, “Our great administration has established very clear rules regarding free speech. Some might argue that these concerns are merely a cynical ploy—a thinly veiled ruse.” He further stated, “A smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and intimidation, fundamentally at odds with any experiment in constitutional governance. Some might say that. Not me, though. I think it’s great.”
In a show of solidarity, Jimmy Fallon addressed the issue on his own program, offering support for Kimmel and describing him as “a decent, funny, and loving guy. I hope he comes back.”
Stephen Colbert also stood up for Kimmel, firmly stating, “Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff 100%. This is blatant censorship.” He added, “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.”
As of now, Kimmel has not publicly commented on his suspension.
