Jon Stewart Hosts The Daily Show Episode After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Jon Stewart stepped behind “The Daily Show” desk Thursday night for a rare mid-week appearance, using satire to respond to ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night program. Stewart, who normally hosts only on Mondays, devoted the episode to lampooning what he described as government-approved entertainment in the wake of Kimmel’s removal.
The Emmy-winning comedian ran “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015 and returned in 2024 to host one night a week during the presidential campaign season. His decision to anchor Thursday’s broadcast signaled both solidarity with Kimmel and a pointed critique of the climate surrounding late-night television. The featured guest was Maria Ressa, the Philippine journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for her advocacy of press freedom.
Kimmel’s Show Suspended
ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely after a coalition of ABC-affiliated stations refused to air the show and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said the network and its parent company could be held responsible for spreading misinformation. Kimmel had commented on conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, saying on two consecutive nights that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Supporters of Kimmel argued Carr misinterpreted the remarks and noted that Kimmel never claimed Tyler Robinson — the man Utah authorities accuse of killing Kirk — was conservative. Kimmel has not publicly addressed the suspension.
View this post on Instagram
A Satirical “Government-Approved” Broadcast
Stewart opened his 23-minute monologue with patriotic fanfare, jokingly presenting the night’s program as “the government-approved Daily Show.” The set glowed with gold tones instead of its signature blue while an announcer hailed Stewart as a “patriotically obedient host.”
An obedient Jon Stewart offers a refresher on the rules of free speech (White House-approved) in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension pic.twitter.com/4uj18ZziNG
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 19, 2025
“We have another fun, hilarious, administration-compliant show,” Stewart said, urging the audience not to react too freely. He then launched into exaggerated praise of President Donald Trump’s recent trip to England, mocking his “majestic gait” and “undeniable sexual charisma” before pivoting back to Kimmel.
Read more: Earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 Hits Russia’s Kamchatka
Throughout the segment, Stewart claimed Trump kept a “talent-ometer” on his desk to measure performers’ ratings, alleging the FCC pressures networks to remove them when scores dip. “Read your Constitution. Read it!” he shouted, framing Kimmel’s suspension as a patriotic obligation in the bit’s logic.
Mocking Double Standards
Stewart also played clips of right-wing commentators calling Democrats “fascists” and “animals” while insisting that entertainers like Kimmel face consequences for their words. He sarcastically affirmed the claims as “all true” and jokingly rebranded January 6 rioters as “sightseers” because “anything you see is a sight.”
The show ended with Stewart and his correspondents singing an over-the-top anthem pledging loyalty to Trump. The performance, which included absurd lyrics, acted as both a parody of propaganda and a protest against what Stewart portrayed as narrowing space for satire.
Broader Late-Night Fallout
Stewart’s appearance came as other late-night hosts rallied around Kimmel. Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert each voiced support in their own broadcasts. Colbert himself faces an uncertain future: CBS announced in July it would cancel “The Late Show” next May, citing financial reasons, just days after Colbert criticized a legal settlement involving President Trump and Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company.
David Letterman, who preceded Colbert on “The Late Show,” warned Thursday at The Atlantic Festival in New York that such moves signal “managed media.” “It’s no good. It’s silly. It’s ridiculous,” he said, arguing performers should not be punished for refusing to “suck up” to power.
A Flashpoint for Press Freedom
By blending comedy and pointed commentary, Stewart turned his special-edition show into a reflection on the tension between free speech and corporate or regulatory pressure. His conversation with Ressa, who has faced prosecution in the Philippines for her reporting, underscored the stakes for journalists and entertainers alike.
The rare Thursday appearance reinforced Stewart’s role as a barometer for late-night political satire — and highlighted how Kimmel’s suspension has become a flashpoint for debates over expression in an election season.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
