Jon Stewart has become the latest talk show host to mock Donald Trump after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off the air.
Kimmel's show was 'indefinitely' suspended after he criticized President Trump's 'bizarre' responses to being asked about the death of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The 31-year-old was shot dead by a single bullet to the neck at a debate at Utah Valley University last Wednesday (September 10).
In the opening monologue of his show, Kimmel mocked how Trump deflected to talking about a new White House ballroom, likening the response to 'a child grieving a goldfish.'
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His comments received a mixed reaction, as some called for the talk show host to be 'fired'.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest ABC affiliate, confirmed the three demands Kimmel must meet for his show to return to the air.
Formal discussions 'about the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability' would also be required.
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Meanwhile, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks. He hinted at possible regulatory consequences for ABC and its owner, Disney - including threats to broadcast licenses - if such content were not addressed.
Now, all eyes are on other talk show hosts as they return to our TVs.
Jon Stewart returned for The Daily Show on Thursday night (September 18), and defended Kimmel during his opening monologue - although indirectly.
Usually, Stewart hosts the show on Mondays, but he confirmed he'd be broadcasting on Thursday.
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During the show's opening, Stewart said that the First Amendment is now determined by the 'niceness to the President' and if that isn’t strong enough, then the 'FCC must be notified to threaten the acquisition prospects for billion-dollar mergers of network affiliates'.
He also made comments about Trump, at one point referring to the President as our 'dear leader'.
Stewart also noted that some people would see these 'speech concerns' as: "A cynical ploy... a thin gruel of a ruse, a smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and unitary intimidation, principle-less and coldly antithetical to any experiment in a constitutional republic of governance.”
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He continued: "Some people would say that," before quipping: "Not me, though... I think it’s great.”
"We have another fun, hilarious, administration-compliant show," he said, before jokingly shushing the audience when they laughed.
Responding to a clip of the show's opening on YouTube, one person commented: "You know some real sh** went down when Jon Stewart shows up on a day that aint Monday."
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"This entire show was an act of genius. They should get the Emmy next year. If there is a show next year... If there is a network next year... If there is an Emmy next year... If there is an America next year..." a second wrote.
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Politics
Ellie Kemp