Vice President Vance commented on a recent monologue by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, which followed Kimmel’s brief hiatus due to his remarks about Charlie Kirk. Vance described Kimmel’s comments as somewhat heartfelt, but he was disappointed that Kimmel didn’t offer an apology.
“I watched it and, in a sense, it had some heart,” Vance shared during an exclusive interview with News Nation reporter Lesshad Hudson. He added that Kimmel expressed sympathy for Charlie Kirk and his family, mentioning that he was a close friend of Kirk.
Vance criticized Kimmel’s claim, which accused the murderer of being a right-wing American, arguing this was not taken lightly.
Kimmel returned to his show on Tuesday night after ABC temporarily suspended him due to the backlash over his comments regarding Kirk, a conservative activist who was recently killed. Kimmel had accused conservative groups of trying to exploit Kirk’s death for “political points,” and claimed the suspect came from a conservative background, despite shifting political views.
On Tuesday, Kimmel emotionally stated, “I’m never going to downplay the murder of a young man.” He also expressed his concerns about censorship and the current administration’s attempts to stifle comedians, asserting that such actions are un-American.
The decision by ABC to pull Kimmel’s show, particularly following FCC criticism, has sparked bipartisan disapproval. FCC Chair Brendan Kerr previously criticized Kimmel’s remarks, suggesting that local affiliates should consider dropping his show, as it might not serve the public interest. Some networks, like Sinclair and Nexstar, have already dropped Kimmel’s program.
These companies are preparing for significant dealings with the FCC, and Democrats recently accused the FCC of trying to pressure Nexstar during its acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna.
A letter indicated that Nexstar and Sinclair responded to threats by removing Kimmel’s show. President Trump has previously pushed for ABC to cancel Kimmel’s show after CBS announced the end of Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show.”
Some conservatives have raised concerns about Kerr’s involvement, suggesting it sets a perilous precedent. Senator Ted Cruz expressed mixed feelings, saying, “I dislike what Kimmel said and am pleased he’s been taken off the air. But it worries me that the government seems to threaten media entities that don’t align with its views.”
Senate Majority Leader John Tune also noted that the FCC should not meddle in such matters.
During his interview, Vance dismissed claims that the Trump administration was censoring Kimmel or forcing ABC to take him off the air. He emphasized their commitment to free speech and the rights of networks to cancel shows based on ratings.
Vance pointed out that a more pressing example of government censorship is the Biden administration’s encouragement for tech companies to limit misinformation regarding COVID-19. He mentioned YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, which reinstated creators banned for spreading false information.
“If you want to see true government-induced censorship, look at the Biden administration’s policies,” Vance stated, adding that the Trump administration aims to protect free speech and allows networks to make their own choices.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration faced scrutiny from free speech advocates following Kirk’s death. Attorney General Pam Bondy warned that hate speech would face consequences, even as conservatives argued for First Amendment protections.
Vance encouraged the public to report anyone celebrating Kirk’s death, vowing to investigate those he claimed were inciting violence.
Trump responded to the uproar over Kimmel’s airing, suggesting a potential pushback against ABC. “I think we’re going to test ABC on this. Let’s see how it plays out,” he remarked, recalling a past incident where he successfully pressured them financially.
