Not surprisingly, former late-night titan David Letterman slammed the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show as “ridiculous.” The ideas of the former TDS host came through clearly in his recent on-stage conversation with Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg. This conversation was recorded at The Atlantic Festival in New York City on September 18, 2025.
Letterman got more serious when discussing the media’s reaction to all of these perceived threats, arguing that corporations are giving in to media panic. He went on to comment on the precedent that this kind of move would set across the industry.
“Media corporations should not go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office,” Letterman stated. His remarks are a sign of increasing alarm at how political intimidation has undermined the ability of the news media to operate independently and freely.
The discussion ran especially deep when contrasting ABC’s approach to the rollout of Kimmel’s show versus CBS’s approach to Stephen Colbert’s show. Given such pressures, it was refreshing to hear Letterman say that CBS has stuck by Colbert. He was insistent that Kimmel has not been canceled, calming fears and worries of many fans and followers of the late-night talk show host.
Letterman also divulged that he’s been speaking with Kimmel since the suspension news broke. He underscored their camaraderie and support for each other as they endure this dark time together.
In a pointed critique of ABC’s decision, Letterman compared it to CBS’s previous decision to cancel a show effective next May. “What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power,” he said, emphasizing the troubling precedent that such actions may set for the industry.
During the festival, Letterman announced his upcoming interview with Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and author of “How to Stand Up to a Dictator.” We expect this roundtable to touch on important themes of censorship and resilience in media that inspired Letterman to worry about the future of our freedom of expression.
Reflecting on the current media landscape, Letterman warned, “I feel bad about this because we all see where this is going, correct? And it’s no good. It’s silly. It’s ridiculous.” He lamented the pressures faced by media professionals who strive to maintain their integrity while navigating an increasingly hostile environment.
In addition to Letterman’s comments, Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken out against attacks on the media, stating, “This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out.” Her statement is in concert with Letterman’s call for journalists and media personalities to resist intimidation and maintain their courage.
The impact of these conversations goes far beyond the walls of Kimmel’s televised studio. Donald Trump just threatened that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should pull the licenses of any networks that criticize him. This has created a climate of concern among industry insiders about the long-term viability of independent journalism.