Jimmy Fallon and Late-Night Hosts React to Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension

The recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting reactions from fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon, and raising concerns about free speech in the United States. The decision came after pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over comments Kimmel made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This article explores Fallon’s response, the FCC’s role, and how other late-night hosts have rallied around Kimmel.

Jimmy Fallon’s Reaction to Kimmel’s Suspension

Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s The Tonight Show, addressed the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! during his monologue on September 18, 2025. His comments mixed humor with support for his fellow late-night host:

1. Initial Reaction: Fallon opened with a lighthearted jab, saying, “The big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking, ‘WTF?’”
2. Support for Kimmel: On a serious note, Fallon defended Kimmel, stating, “To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on, and no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny and loving guy, and I hope he comes back.”
3. Humor Amid Concerns: Fallon also poked fun at fears of censorship in late-night comedy. He vowed to continue covering President Donald Trump as usual, but a comedic voiceover dubbed over his words with exaggerated praise for Trump, highlighting concerns about free speech.

Fallon’s response showed solidarity with Kimmel while using humor to address the serious implications of the suspension.

The FCC’s Role in Kimmel’s Suspension

The FCC played a pivotal role in the decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Here’s what happened:

1. Kimmel’s Controversial Comments: On September 15, 2025, Kimmel commented on his show about the killing of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Kimmel said, “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 and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
2. FCC Chairman’s Pressure: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, criticized Kimmel’s remarks as “truly sick” and suggested the FCC could take action against ABC and its parent company, Disney. On a podcast with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, Carr warned, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” hinting at potential fines or license revocations for ABC affiliates.
3. Affiliate Response: Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliate stations, announced it would stop airing Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future,” citing the comments as “offensive and insensitive.” Sinclair, another major affiliate group, also pulled the show and demanded Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and make a donation to Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization.
4. ABC’s Decision: Hours after Carr’s comments and Nexstar’s announcement, ABC confirmed on September 17 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “pre-empted indefinitely,” without providing a specific reason.

Carr later praised Nexstar and Sinclair, calling their actions “unprecedented” and suggesting that local broadcasters have a duty to push back against programming that doesn’t serve community values.

Reactions from Other Late-Night Hosts

Kimmel’s suspension prompted strong reactions from other late-night hosts, who expressed dismay and defended free speech. Here’s how they responded on their September 18 shows:

1. Jon Stewart (The Daily Show): Stewart made a surprise return to host The Daily Show (typically hosting only on Mondays) to address Kimmel’s suspension. In a sarcastic segment, he mocked the administration’s “clear rules on free speech,” saying, “Some naysayers may argue that this administration’s speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy… coldly antithetical to any experiment in a constitutional republic governance. Some people would say that. Not me though. I think it’s great.”
2. Seth Meyers (Late Night): Meyers called Kimmel a friend and vowed to continue doing his show “the way we’ve always done it.” He emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, “There’s a reason free speech is in the very first amendment. It stands above all others.”
3. Stephen Colbert (The Late Show): Colbert, whose own show was canceled by CBS in July 2025 for reported financial reasons, decried Kimmel’s suspension as a “blatant assault” on free speech. He also thanked Kimmel and Stewart for supporting his Emmy win for outstanding talk series in 2025.

These hosts rallied around Kimmel, framing the suspension as a threat to free expression and a troubling precedent for late-night television.

Broader Industry and Political Reactions

Kimmel’s suspension sparked widespread outrage in the entertainment industry and among Democratic politicians, who saw it as an attack on free speech:

1. David Letterman: At The Atlantic Festival 2025, the former late-night host called ABC’s decision “ridiculous,” arguing, “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.”
2. Hollywood Figures: Celebrities like Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Ben Stiller, and Adam Scott condemned the suspension. Sykes, who was set to appear on Kimmel’s show, blamed the Trump administration, saying, “He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year.” Smart called Kimmel’s comments “free speech, not hate speech.”
3. Democratic Leaders: Former President Barack Obama criticized the administration for “routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.” California Governor Gavin Newsom called the suspension “coordinated” and “dangerous,” accusing Republicans of undermining free speech.
4. Unions and Advocates: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA condemned the suspension as a violation of constitutional rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warned that ABC “withered under government pressure,” risking further censorship.

However, some conservative figures supported the suspension. Fox News host Sean Hannity claimed Kimmel’s show was pulled because he “failed at his job,” while commentator Megyn Kelly called Kimmel’s remarks a “vile disgusting lie.”

Why the Suspension Matters

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! raises serious questions about the future of free speech in media:

1. Government Pressure: Critics argue that the FCC’s threats, combined with ABC’s swift response, show how government pressure can influence media decisions, especially when companies like Disney and Nexstar face regulatory hurdles (e.g., Nexstar’s $6.2 billion merger with Tegna).
2. Impact on Late-Night TV: With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert already set to end in May 2026, Kimmel’s suspension fuels fears that late-night shows, known for political satire, could face further censorship.
3. Public Reaction: Fans outside Kimmel’s studio expressed frustration, with one couple calling the decision “ridiculous” and a blow to free speech. Protests also gathered outside ABC’s El Capitan Entertainment Center.

What’s Next for Kimmel?

As of September 19, 2025, Kimmel has not commented publicly on the suspension. His contract with ABC runs through May 2026, and a source told CNN that the show has not been canceled, though no timeline for its return has been announced. Some in the industry question whether Kimmel, known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, would return if required to filter his commentary.

The suspension has also put pressure on other late-night hosts, with Trump calling for NBC to cancel The Tonight Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers, labeling Fallon and Meyers “two total losers” with “horrible ratings.”

Conclusion

Jimmy Fallon and other late-night hosts have shown strong support for Jimmy Kimmel following his suspension, highlighting the broader implications for free speech and media independence. The FCC’s role, driven by Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats, has raised concerns about government overreach, especially given the timing of regulatory decisions affecting ABC and its affiliates. As the entertainment industry and political figures continue to debate, Kimmel’s suspension serves as a flashpoint in the ongoing battle over free expression in the United States.