On September 17, 2025, Stephen Colbert stunned his viewers by opening The Late Show with a five-minute monologue that was equal parts comedy and defiance.
Holding up his 2025 Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series, Colbert quipped: “I’ve never loved America more! Because if they can cancel my show because I called Trump ‘America’s Hitler,’ now it’s Jimmy Kimmel’s turn for telling the truth about Charlie Kirk. Who’s next? Maybe me… for the second time!”
The audience roared, but the undertone was serious. Colbert framed Kimmel’s suspension as part of a broader campaign of silencing, linking it to his own show’s cancellation in July.
TRUMP, KIMMEL, AND THE CENSORSHIP WARS
The backdrop: ABC had just announced an indefinite hiatus for Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel commented on the political motives of Charlie Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson.
Colbert wasted no time connecting the dots. “If MAGA wants to ‘get revenge’ for Kirk by silencing us, they’re proving Kirk wrong: political violence isn’t just about guns, it’s about censorship.”
Then came the jab at Trump: “Trump said Kimmel has zero talent and worse ratings than Colbert. Thanks for the compliment, Mr. President!”
He ended by waving his Emmy and joking: “This is for Jimmy — he’ll need it to sell for money after it gets canceled!”
WHY IT MATTERS: A SATIRICAL SHOW OF SOLIDARITY
The monologue was more than a joke. It was Colbert’s way of defending his colleague while also shielding himself. By mocking Trump’s attacks and connecting his own cancellation to Kimmel’s suspension, Colbert positioned himself as both survivor and martyr of what liberals call a “war on censorship.”
The clip went viral within hours, topping 2.5 million views on X in 24 hours. Hashtag #ColbertStandsWithKimmel trended, with fans hailing it as late night’s “united front” moment.
SUPPORT FROM HOLLYWOOD AND LIBERALS
Jon Stewart praised Colbert on X, thanking him and Kimmel for “keeping the flame alive.” California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted: “Colbert speaks for all of us – this is an attack on the First Amendment.”
The ACLU and Writers Guild of America released statements applauding Colbert’s “sharp counterattack against censorship,” while fan accounts circulated memes labeling him a “free speech hero.”
CONSERVATIVE BACKLASH
On Truth Social, Donald Trump fired back: “Colbert, the worst-rated loser, is crying over Kimmel. They’re all fake news! Jimmy Kimmel is next, and Colbert is long dead.”
Sean Hannity called Colbert’s remarks “inflammatory,” while conservative influencer @GuntherEagleman wrote: “Colbert thinks he’s funny? He’s just digging his own grave after Kirk.” The post pulled more than 76,000 likes.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr added fuel, warning that “comments like Colbert’s could lead to similar actions” — interpreted by some as a veiled threat of further suspensions.
RATINGS SPIKE AND AUDIENCE IMPACT
According to Nielsen, The Late Show’s ratings jumped 20% compared to the previous night. Social chatter framed Colbert as a defiant voice standing up to Trumpworld, though many also raised concerns about his safety.
“First Colbert, now Kimmel — Trump is cleaning up late night,” read one viral post from @ElHuffPost.
ERIKA KIRK AND THE KIRK FAMILY’S RESPONSE
Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, did not comment directly. But sources at Turning Point USA called Colbert’s monologue “deeply insensitive.”
Still, some users pointed out irony in the backlash, with @TaraSetmayer writing: “Colbert is defending free speech – something Kirk always claimed to support.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: A LATE-NIGHT WAR
Colbert’s move adds another layer to the late-night culture wars. With his show already slated to end in May 2026, he has little to lose by sharpening his attacks.
Trump, meanwhile, has expanded his criticism to other hosts, calling Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers “two losers” in a Truth Social post. The battlefield is widening.
CONCLUSION: WHO’S REALLY NEXT?
Colbert’s defiant solidarity with Kimmel may have been funny on the surface, but its message was deadly serious: late-night hosts see themselves under siege, and they’re fighting back with humor.
“Who’s next?” Colbert asked. The answer may shape not just the future of late night, but the boundaries of free speech in an America still reeling from violence, grief, and censorship.
