Jon Stewart made a rare Thursday appearance for an "all-new government-approved Daily Show," as late-night hosts responded to ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel's program over his comments about Charlie Kirk's killing.
The big picture: While Stewart focused on a parody of an autocratic regime, Stephen Colbert used his CBS show that's being canceled after next season to label the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" "blatant censorship." Seth Meyers on his program said, "Trump promised to end government censorship and bring back free speech, and he's doing the opposite."
Jon Stewart
Zoom in: Stewart appeared on a set that was filled with gold decor, in an apparent nod to President Trump's gold touches to the White House as he was introduced as "your patriotically obedient host."
- "I don't know who this 'Johnny Drimmel Live' ABC character is, but the point is, our great administration has laid out very clear rules on free speech," said Stewart, who normally hosts "The Daily Show" on Monday.
- "Some naysayers may argue that this administration's speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy, a thin gruel of a ruse, a smoke screen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and unitary intimidation, principleless and coldly antithetical to any experiment in a constitutional republic governance," he said.
- "Some people would say that. Not me, though, I think it's great," added Stewart, who heaped praise on the president and joked about sending the National Guard to the "crime-ridden cesspool that is New York City" from where he hosts the Comedy Central show.
Stephen Colbert
On "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," the comedian dedicated his opening monologue to Kimmel.
- "This is blatant censorship," Colbert said. "With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch," added the vocal Trump critic, whose own show cancelation was celebrated by the president.
- "Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff 100%."
Seth Meyers
On "Late Night with Seth Meyers," the NBC host joked that his show might be the next one to be canceled — which Trump actually called for as he called the comedian and Kimmel "two total losers" after ABC announced that "'Jimmy Kimmel Live' will be pre-empted indefinitely."
- "His administration is pursuing a crackdown on free speech," Meyers said.
- "Completely unrelated, I just want to say before we get started here that I've always admired and respected Mr Trump."
Jimmy Fallon
On "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the NBC host joked that he "woke up to 100 messages from my dad saying, 'sorry they cancelled your show.'"
- He added: "To be honest with you all, I don't know what is going on. And no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel and he is a decent, funny and loving guy, and I hope he comes back," later making ironic censorship riffs.
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