Bill O'Reilly said Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel isn't evil and that he's sad the comedian's show has been suspended. He spoke on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, recounting a past rapport with Kimmel during O'Reilly's Fox News days. “We had a lot of laughs. He was a gentleman,” O'Reilly said, describing their exchanges as cordial. He added that Kimmel's stance shifted after Donald Trump rose to power: “But then when Trump got power, he changed. Mr. Kimmel changed into more of a bitter comedian.” O'Reilly also praised Kimmel's personal story, saying he admires him for the challenges of his young son, though that did not temper his concerns about the recent controversy.
On Monday, Kimmel addressed remarks about a high-profile incident involving a suspect who killed Charlie Kirk, saying that MAGA supporters were trying to characterize the assailant in a way that would benefit their political points. O'Reilly criticized the remarks, calling them “defamatory and outrageous” and questioning whether a producer had flagged the segment. “This isn't about censorship. This is about responsibility,” he said. Comedians and political commentators weighed in, including Wanda Sykes, who was to appear on Kimmel's show before its cancellation. Sykes wrote on social media that the president didn't end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week but “he did end freedom of speech within his first year. … Love you, Jimmy.”
ABC pulled the plug on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” until further notice, a network spokesperson confirmed, following the monologue and the broader controversy surrounding it. The suspension came amid threats from some FCC officials and network affiliates and followed a heated public debate about the line between political commentary and mistreatment of a sensational case. The incident has prompted reflections across the media landscape about accountability in late-night television and the consequences of provocative monologues that intersect with real-world political tensions.
Experts and industry watchers say the episode highlights how late-night hosts balance humor, current events and audience expectations while navigating heightened scrutiny from regulators, advertisers and critics. The decision to suspend a flagship program illustrates the fragile line entertainment outlets tread when commentary intersects with powerful political currents, and it underscores the ongoing divergence between free expression in comedy and perceived responsibility in broadcasting.