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Letterman Crowns Kimmel ‘Leader of the Resistance’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live

The late-night icon’s praise highlights industry solidarity under continued calls from President Trump to remove outspoken hosts.

Overview

  • During Tuesday’s appearance, David Letterman lauded Jimmy Kimmel and peers for “defending democracy” and said any “leader of the free world” who behaves like a “fool” should expect ridicule.
  • Letterman jokingly referenced ABC’s September suspension of Kimmel over his remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, noting Kimmel was put back on the air within a week.
  • President Trump has repeatedly urged ABC and TV syndicators to fire Kimmel, most recently posting that the host has “NO TALENT” and should be taken off the air.
  • Kimmel has continued to mock the pressure campaign on his show, telling Trump, “I’ll go when you go.”
  • Despite the public attacks, contractual extensions keep Kimmel on ABC through May 2027 and secure Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers at NBC through 2028.