Jimmy kimmel Returns too Air Amidst Trump‘s Continued Threats to ABC
Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, navigating a recent suspension stemming from criticism of Donald Trump, and promptly addressed the situation head-on.The return followed a period of uncertainty sparked by Trump’s repeated attacks on Kimmel and other late-night hosts,and his vow to continue pressuring media companies.
Kimmel’s monologue didn’t reveal details of his discussions during the suspension, but he highlighted the potential for further censorship, referencing Stephen Colbert’s departure from CBS and a July Trump tweet suggesting Kimmel and NBC hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers were “next.” This tweet followed CBS’s decision not to renew Colbert’s contract in the spring.
The monologue ultimately reaffirmed Kimmel’s comedic style, focusing on irreverent commentary directed at Trump. he featured a montage of Trump’s recent press conference, specifically targeting the president’s comments advising against using tylenol, and jokes made during his address to the United Nations.
A segment featuring actor Robert de Niro,portraying the FCC chairman with a “mob-boss swagger,” added to the evening’s tone. While not the most groundbreaking comedy, the segment successfully elicited laughter from the audience, demonstrating Kimmel’s intention to continue delivering his signature brand of humor.
however, the future remains uncertain. The article notes that Trump is highly likely to continue pressuring media outlets for favorable coverage, and Disney, ABC’s parent company, may not consistently withstand such pressure.
Kimmel acknowledged the potential for censorship within his monologue, joking about being required to read a statement promoting disney+ and Hulu. The article suggests Disney was likely aware of calls for boycotts of its streaming services, and that public pressure played a role in allowing Kimmel to return. Gizmodo’s comment sections reportedly reflected significant numbers of people threatening to cancel their subscriptions.
The situation also prompted a broader reflection on freedom of speech. The article drew a parallel to the detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, who was imprisoned for co-writing an op-ed on human rights, highlighting the disparity in visibility and support available to high-profile figures like Kimmel versus individuals facing censorship elsewhere.
Kimmel concluded his return with a direct appeal to the American people, stating, “I never imagined I would be in a situation like this…But one thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George carlin and Howard Stern is that a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.”
