Television legend David Letterman delivered a scathing condemnation of ABC’s decision to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” during a panel discussion at the 2025 Atlantic Festival on Thursday, September 18. The 78-year-old former late-night host called the network’s move “misery” and accused the company of capitulating to what he termed an “authoritarian criminal administration.”
Speaking at the annual event in New York City, Letterman expressed strong disapproval of the suspension that pulled Kimmel’s show off the air indefinitely on Wednesday night. “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,” the former host declared, adding that such actions represent managed media practices that are fundamentally flawed.
The suspension followed comments Kimmel made during his Monday night monologue regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead on September 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk, a 31-year-old married father of two and founder of Turning Point USA, was killed by Tyler Robinson, who has since been arrested and charged with the murder.
Kimmel had criticized what he described as attempts by supporters of President Donald Trump to characterize Robinson as anything other than one of their own supporters. The host’s remarks prompted significant backlash from conservative circles and drew the attention of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who called on licensed broadcasters to cease airing the program.
Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting, which operate more than 60 local ABC affiliate stations, announced they would preempt Kimmel’s program following Carr’s statements. The FCC chairman had suggested that regulatory agencies might take action against ABC affiliates, stating that companies could change conduct regarding Kimmel or face additional scrutiny from federal regulators.
Letterman suggested the suspension was part of a broader pattern, noting that Kimmel’s removal had been predicted by President Trump following the earlier cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” by CBS. The veteran comedian implied the timing was not coincidental, questioning whether the actions represented premeditated pressure from the current administration.
The former “Late Night” host emphasized his belief that the office of the presidency should maintain dignity above conflicts with television personalities. He referenced his own experience hosting programs during six different presidential administrations, stating that despite making jokes about various political figures, his shows never faced pressure from governmental agencies including the FCC.
Letterman revealed he had exchanged text messages with Kimmel on Thursday morning, providing reassurance about the suspended host’s well-being. He indicated that Kimmel was managing the situation and would recover from the controversy, though sources close to the situation described the host as extremely upset about the network’s decision.
The suspension has drawn widespread criticism from entertainment industry figures and progressive organizations, who characterize the move as censorship. Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” temporarily replaced Kimmel on Thursday evening’s broadcast slot. Multiple late-night television hosts have expressed solidarity with Kimmel, with Stephen Colbert declaring that viewers should not yield ground to autocratic pressures.
Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden reportedly spoke with Kimmel before Wednesday’s scheduled broadcast about his planned response to Carr’s criticisms. According to industry sources, concerns arose that Kimmel’s intended remarks might further inflame the situation, leading to discussions with Disney CEO Bob Iger before the final decision to suspend the program.
Reports indicate that Kimmel and Disney executives were scheduled to meet Thursday evening to discuss the show’s future and potential paths for returning to air. The discussions focused on whether the late-night program could resume broadcasting amid ongoing regulatory and affiliate station pressures.
The controversy represents a significant moment in the ongoing tensions between media companies and political pressure, particularly affecting late-night television programming that frequently addresses current political topics. Industry observers note the unprecedented nature of federal regulatory officials publicly pressuring networks regarding specific programming content and host commentary.
Sources:
https://nypost.com/2025/09/18/entertainment/david-letterman-slams-abc-for-putting-jimmy-kimmel-on-pause/
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/david-letterman-slams-ridiculous-decision-204947246.html
https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/stephen-colbert-jon-stewart-and-david-letterman-slam-abc-for-suspending-jimmy-kimmels-show-under-trump-pressure/articleshow/124004482.cms
https://www.newsweek.com/jimmy-kimmel-live-trump-abc-cancelled-fcc-free-speech-2131701
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/david-letterman-says-jimmy-kimmel-193918528.html
