David Letterman Expresses Sorrow Over Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension: 'This Is Misery'

David Letterman Speaks Out on Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension

Legendary late-night host David Letterman has shared his thoughts on the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, expressing deep concern over the situation. Speaking at The Atlantic Festival 2025 in New York, Letterman described the events as “misery” and said he felt bad about what had transpired. He emphasized that the media environment today is managed and not functioning properly.

Letterman pointed out that the actions taken against Kimmel were based on fear or an attempt to appease an authoritarian administration. He argued that it is wrong to fire someone simply because of such pressures. “You can’t go around firing somebody because you're fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office,” he stated.

Kimmel reportedly reached out to Letterman early Thursday morning, and according to Letterman, Kimmel was resting and taking nourishment. This came after ABC suspended Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely on Wednesday. The decision followed a threat from FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who urged ABC and its affiliates to take action regarding Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killer. Carr warned that if they did not act, there would be further consequences.

In response to Carr’s remarks, Letterman made a pointed comment, suggesting that those behind such tactics might be hiring “goons.” He humorously referenced Mario Puzo, the author of The Godfather, implying that the current situation resembled a mafia-like operation. Letterman also noted that during his time on TV, he never faced pressure from the presidential administration or the FCC regarding his on-air commentary.

Several prominent figures have voiced their opinions on Kimmel’s suspension. Former President Barack Obama and actor Ben Stiller have criticized the move, while conservative leaders like former President Donald Trump have supported it. This polarizing reaction highlights the broader implications of the incident.

During the festival, Letterman was interviewed by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Goldberg called him the “godfather” of late-night television. Letterman’s career began in 1982 with NBC’s Late Night and continued with CBS’s The Late Show from 1993 to 2015. He has since hosted a talk series for Netflix, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

Goldberg posed a question about whether free media still exists despite Trump’s attacks on the press. Letterman responded with skepticism, asking, “Do we?” His comment reflects growing concerns about the state of media independence.

In July, when CBS canceled The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Letterman criticized the network’s decision as “pure cowardice.” He argued that the network did not handle Colbert, the face of the network, appropriately. Letterman also questioned the network’s claim that the cancellation was purely a financial decision.

As of now, the only official statement from Disney or ABC regarding the situation was a spokesperson’s announcement that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pre-empted indefinitely. Kimmel himself has not commented on the matter.

The incident raises important questions about the role of media in today’s political climate and the pressures faced by journalists and entertainers alike. As the debate continues, the impact of these decisions on public discourse remains a significant concern.