ABC and its late-night star Jimmy Kimmel face a fierce backlash over a liberal host, revealing an increase in violent attacks against Tesla vehicles and dealers.
During his monologue on Tuesday night, Kimmel was having fun at the expense of Tesla CEO and Doge Chief Elon Musk.
“People are destroying Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles. Don't destroy them. Don't destroy Tesla vehicles,” Kimmel told the camera before smiling at the comedy pause.
Musk said in X, “He's a very funny jerk.”
Elon Musk calls Jimmy Kimmel “Unjust Jerk” after he appears to have revealed Tesla's attack
Jimmy Kimmel and ABC say they are facing a spurt of backlash against his joke critics as he unveiled the ongoing Tesla attack. (ABC/Randy Holmes)
Kimmel said “several Teslas were burned at a Tesla facility in Las Vegas last night. Authorities are currently investigating which Teslas is on fire and which is on fire.”
“And while no one should set fire, people are angry at Elon Musk to randomly and willingly bring out thousands of Americans, including veterans, from work. But since January 7th, has it been against some sort of violent protest? Was it 2021?
Disney-owned ABC is recognized by critics as a liberal network and is hostile to President Donald Trump. The presidential debate co-produced by David Muir and Linsey Davis was taken away by conservatives for fact-checking on one side, and his friendship with Disney executive Dana Walden, who oversees all of the ABC programming for former vice president Kamala Harris, has been eye-opening.
It appears that ABC was trying to turn a new leaf when he took office with Trump by resolving a honour-loss lawsuit against the network over comments by Anchor George Stefanopuuros in December. However, Kimmel's controversy rekindled Animus.
Tesla arsonist hits federal accusations of “domestic terrorism” acts: AG
Five Tesla vehicles were set on fire and were shot dead on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at a local repair center in Las Vegas, Nevada, where police are investigating it as a “target attack.” (Hal Sparks via Storyful)
Fox News' Sean Hannity denounced Kimmel as a “hinged loser” and targeted top Disney boss Bob Iger.
“Bob, are you okay with the glory of violence that looks like this? Is this an inclusive awakening, Dei, an ABC Disney brand?” asked Hannity. “You're the CEO of Disney. Are you proud of this?”
Senator R-Utah similarly condemned the network, saying, “Does ABC approve the on-air agitation of Jimmy Kimmel's criminal acts? Will ABC take any action or make a statement accordingly?”
CNN commentator Scott Jennings said, “The message to conservatives from the left of America is unmistakable: silence yourself or we do it for you. This is not comedy – these are march orders.”
“ABC and Disney have allowed this third-place fifth late-night host to advocate for shooting and shooting at Tesla dealers.
For the latest media and culture news, click here
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a leading leftist target to support President Trump's efforts to reduce the size of the federal government through Doge. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Former Vice President JD Vance also panned Kimmel, but emphasized that his target audience was the far left outlier in the American population.
“To defend Americans, Jimmy Kimmel's show is probably not a representative sample because it's so funny, boring and left-wing,” laughs Vince Korianze's radio show. “If you're going to watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” you have to be a truly humorless scree. So I hope it is isolated by a very few people. ”
ABC did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Brian Flood of Fox News contributed to this report.
