Jon Stewart just dropped a satirical bombshell on "The Daily Show" that’s got everyone talking about free speech and President Donald Trump’s influence over media.
The New York Post reported that Stewart aimed at Trump and ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show following offensive remarks seen as justifying the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The drama kicked off earlier, on September 10, 2025, when Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was tragically slain at Utah Valley University, sending shockwaves through conservative circles.
By September 14, 2025, authorities revealed the accused killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, held leftist views and lived with his transgender boyfriend, a detail that fueled heated political debates across the spectrum.
Then, on September 15, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel stirred the pot on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" by alleging during his monologue that Kirk’s killer was tied to the “MAGA gang,” a claim that outraged many on the right for its apparent disregard of the facts.
Kimmel’s words didn’t just spark anger—they led to swift backlash, with right-wing viewers and media affiliates like Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting demanding accountability from ABC for what they saw as reckless rhetoric.
On September 17, 2025, ABC buckled under pressure, indefinitely suspending Kimmel’s show, a decision bolstered by Nexstar’s move to preempt the program and Sinclair’s vow to pull it until Kimmel apologizes to Kirk’s family and donates to his organization.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr didn’t mince words, calling Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible” and pressing Disney, ABC’s owner, to take decisive action against such inflammatory content.
President Trump weighed in with approval, labeling ABC’s suspension as “great news for America” and hinting at targeting other late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, signaling a broader push against dissenting voices in entertainment.
Enter Jon Stewart on September 18, 2025, hosting "The Daily Show" in a dark suit and red tie, mimicking Trump’s iconic look, while delivering a 23-minute monologue from a gold-inspired set that screamed parody.
Stewart didn’t hold back, mocking Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s slaying as akin to “how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish,” a biting quip that cut through the somberness with sharp wit.
Joined by the cast in a musical number praising Trump’s appearance against a metallic gold backdrop, Stewart’s segment blended humor with a critique of how media giants seem to bend under political pressure, especially with affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair accused of cozying up to the administration for merger approvals.
Stewart also brought in Nobel Peace Prize-winning author Maria Ressa as a guest, a subtle nod to the broader fight for standing up to power, as detailed in her book on resisting authoritarianism.
Meanwhile, Trump returned to the White House on September 18, 2025, after a state visit to the UK, where he was photographed with King Charles III, though he’s yet to comment on Stewart’s pointed jabs from that night.
As Kimmel remains silent on his suspension—despite plummeting ratings before this fiasco—and rejects calls for an apology, the saga raises tough questions about where free speech ends and political influence begins in today’s media landscape.