FCC chairman Carr threatened to take action against Kimmel in the wake of his comments. “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr, who was appointed by Trump, told right-wing journalist Benny Johnson. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Kimmel, who has led his eponymous series Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, detailed the immediate aftermath of his temporary suspension while appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on September 30. The endeavor was an “emotional rollercoaster” for him and his family, Kimmel said. He added that as his show was pulled, executives told him, “‘We’re concerned about what you’re going to say tonight, and we decided that the best route is to take the show off the air.’ I thought, that’s it. It’s over, it’s over. I was like, ‘I’m never coming back on the air.’”
Colbert’s show will go off the air for good in May 2026, as announced in July. Though CBS assured audiences that the cancellation was “purely a financial decision,” the announcement was made shortly after Emmy-winner Colbert criticized CBS parent company Paramount Global for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Trump—just as Paramount Global landed FCC approval for a $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Trump celebrated Colbert’s Late Show ending, writing in July on Truth Social, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! [Fox News late night host] Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”
Fallon, whom Trump has called a “total loser,” admitted in the wake of Colbert being axed that these are “crazy times” for late night shows. “I’m just as shocked as everyone,” Fallon said of the Late Night cancellation. “Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”
Kimmel now cited Trump’s disdain as a bonding moment for himself and Colbert on September 30. “I am so honored to be here with my fellow no-talent, late-night loser,” Kimmel joked during a New York City live taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as reported by NPR. “We thought it might be a fun way to drive the president nuts.”
