Late-Night Hosts Rally Behind Jimmy Kimmel After Suspension

Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension from ABC has sparked an unprecedented wave of solidarity across late-night television, turning a single controversy into a broader fight over free speech and political comedy.

The uproar began after Kimmel’s monologue on conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Critics accused him of misrepresenting the shooter’s politics, while FCC chair Brendan Carr condemned his remarks as “sick,” prompting ABC to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup. President Trump celebrated the decision, calling Kimmel “a loser” and urging networks to cancel other hosts.

Jimmy Fallon was among the first to respond, offering cautious support: “Jimmy Kimmel is a decent, funny, and loving guy. I hope he comes back.” Fallon even staged censored jokes about Trump to highlight the chilling effect on comedy. He later admitted texting Kimmel and stressed that entertainers “need people to be happy in this crazy world.”

Stephen Colbert delivered the strongest defense, labeling ABC’s move “blatant censorship” and declaring, “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.” Colbert, whose own show faces cancellation in 2026, warned networks against yielding to political pressure, saying: “With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch.”

Seth Meyers approached the issue with satire, joking that any negative comments he’d made about Trump were “just AI.” Still, he emphasized that Kimmel was both a colleague and a friend, while warning of threats to free speech.

David Letterman, the elder statesman of late night, was blunt: “You can’t fire somebody just to suck up to an authoritarian administration.” He said Kimmel was in good spirits and condemned political intimidation of comedy.

Jon Stewart broke his usual Daily Show schedule to mock the regulatory and corporate pressures behind the suspension, turning satire into a critique of power.

The united stance of Fallon, Colbert, Meyers, Letterman, and Stewart reflects more than camaraderie. It marks a decisive moment: either late-night comedy holds its ground, or political pressure reshapes it into something far less daring.