Former President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing war with late-night television hosts by publicly calling out Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Howard Stern. This latest salvo came shortly after CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” which Trump linked to a larger purge of entertainers he views as disloyal or untalented.
With pointed remarks and predictions, Trump suggested these hosts are soon to be removed from the airwaves, continuing a long-standing feud with media figures who often criticize him.
Trump’s Attack on Late-Night TV and Radio Icons
On Wednesday, Trump slammed Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel in a fiery statement, declaring, “Colbert has no talent. Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They’re next. They’re gonna be going.”
Colbert’s show was recently canceled by CBS, a move reportedly connected to the company’s $16 million settlement with Trump over a lawsuit and an FCC merger approval.
Despite being the highest-rated late-night program, Colbert’s show was cut, which critics suggest was a political maneuver to curry favor with Trump.
Trump claimed he heard rumors that Kimmel and Fallon would follow Colbert’s fate, although he did not specify his sources. He also commented that Colbert’s ratings were better than those of Fallon or Kimmel, questioning the official financial reasoning behind the cancellation.
In addition to TV hosts, Trump targeted radio personality Howard Stern, who reportedly is “parting ways” with SiriusXM by the end of this year—a claim that has not been confirmed. Trump reminisced about his past appearances on Stern’s show but noted that Stern’s popularity declined after he endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Trump disparaged these media figures repeatedly, describing their shows as “political hits” against him and the Republican Party. He particularly singled out Comcast, accusing the company of unfairly promoting anti-Trump content and said, “Comcast should pay a BIG price for this!”
The Broader Context of Trump’s Media Feud
Trump’s conflict with late-night hosts is part of a larger pattern of antagonism toward the media. He has long complained about being ridiculed and targeted in comedy and news programs. Earlier this year, Trump insulted Seth Meyers as “dumb and untalented,” calling his show a “slot filler” for Comcast, which he claimed pushes “100% political hits” against conservatives.
His disdain for Jimmy Kimmel is particularly intense; reports indicate Trump once tried to censor Kimmel during his presidency. The ongoing attacks reveal Trump’s continued focus on controlling his public image by intimidating media figures who satirize or criticize him.
While the future of Fallon, Kimmel, and Stern’s careers remains uncertain, Trump’s provocative statements underscore his intent to maintain pressure on those he sees as adversaries in the entertainment industry.
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