In a fiery segment on Wednesday night, late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel launched a scathing rebuke against right-wing Newsmax host Rob Schmitt, who has called for regulatory action to have Kimmel removed from the airwaves. The conflict stems from Kimmel's outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump's proposed "SAVE America" legislation, a bill that Republicans frame as a voter ID law but opponents argue could suppress legal voting by U.S. citizens.
Kimmel's Accusation of Election Interference
Kimmel did not mince words, labeling the bill as a deliberate scheme by Trump to manipulate the upcoming midterm elections. "This is his attempt to fix the midterm election and save his own ass," Kimmel declared during his monologue. He revealed that his comments had provoked a strong reaction from Schmitt, who Kimmel referred to as one of the "Schmitt heads" on Newsmax, accusing him of trying to report Kimmel to authorities for his remarks.
Schmitt's Demand for FCC Intervention
During the show, Kimmel played a clip of Schmitt vehemently demanding that the Federal Communications Commission take punitive measures against Kimmel for his political commentary. Schmitt went further, alleging that ABC, the network airing Kimmel's show, is in violation of the law "every single night" by allowing such content. "That is not a comedy show," Schmitt asserted. "That is propaganda."
In a sharp retort, Kimmel quipped, "I think of it as a little of both," before launching into a critique of Schmitt and Newsmax's tactics. He mocked their hypocrisy, noting, "They're such tattletales. They're so worried about cancel culture until I come on and then they're like, 'Call the FCC! He's breaking the law!' How does this not embarrass them?"
Newsmax's Legal Troubles Highlighted
Kimmel underscored his point by referencing Newsmax's own legal issues, specifically a $67 million settlement the network agreed to pay to resolve a defamation lawsuit related to spreading false claims about the 2020 election. "But we're propaganda?" Kimmel expressed in disbelief. He drew a biting comparison, stating, "Newsmax is to the Trump administration what the Fearless Flyer is to Trader Joe's," referring to the in-house newsletter that promotes the supermarket's products, implying Newsmax serves as a promotional tool for Trump.
Concluding his monologue, Kimmel asked rhetorically, "Can you tell I've had enough of this?" emphasizing his frustration with the ongoing political battles and media attacks. This incident highlights the deepening divisions in American media and politics, with late-night comedy becoming a flashpoint for debates over free speech, election integrity, and partisan bias.
