'Do It NBC!': Trump Demands Fallon and Meyers Be Fired Next After Kimmel Suspension Sparks Free Speech Row

An unprecedented clash between the White House and late-night television erupted this week as US President Donald Trump demanded for NBC to dismiss Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, following the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! over controversial remarks about political violence.

Donald Trump, in a post on his social platform Truth Social, praised ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, calling the host 'ratings challenged' and asserting the show had 'ZERO talent'. He then addressed NBC directly: 'Do it, NBC!!!' insisting that the network fire Fallon and Meyers, whom he also slammed over their ratings.

The demand comes amidst fierce debate about free speech, media responsibility, and the reach of regulatory and political leverage in influencing private broadcasting decisions.

What Triggered Kimmel's Suspension

On 15 September 2025, Jimmy Kimmel used his monologue to suggest that the assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk might be politically aligned with the MAGA movement, a claim that the police and Kirk's family dispute, asserting the suspect held left-wing views.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair, Brendan Carr, described these remarks as 'truly sick' and warned of regulatory consequences for ABC and its parent company, Disney, for spreading misinformation.

In response, Nexstar Media Group, which owns dozens of ABC-affiliated broadcasters, announced it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its stations. Sinclair similarly objected, demanding that Kimmel issue apologies and make donations to organisations linked to Charlie Kirk before considering reinstatement. ABC then suspended the programme indefinitely.

After the suspension, Trump posted on Truth Social: 'Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED', adding that Fallon and Meyers, both late-night hosts on NBC, also had 'horrible' ratings and were 'two total losers'. He explicitly called on NBC to follow ABC's example and do away with its shows.

Free Speech, Censorship and Regulatory Pressure

The suspension has ignited a national debate over whether this constitutes repression of free expression, especially when political pressure and regulatory threat appear to play a role.

Critics argue that the FCC, under Carr, is overstepping. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez (a Democratic appointee) warned that threatening broadcast licences over content is a dangerous precedent and may conflict with First Amendment protections.

Former US President Barack Obama likewise decried what he called 'government coercion', warning that the administration's behaviour reflects a disturbing use of regulatory power to silence dissent.

Defenders of the suspension argue that Kimmel's remarks were false or misleading, particularly since the suspect's political alignment is disputed, thus giving regulators and ABC justification for action. The FCC chair has claimed a strong case for holding ABC and Disney accountable for spreading misinformation.

Fallout and Wider Implications

Late-night hosts and media figures have rallied in support of Kimmel. Stephen Colbert described the suspension as 'blatant censorship'. Jon Stewart, David Letterman and others warn that this is part of a broader pattern of media self-censorship under pressure from political authorities.

Meanwhile, legal experts note that proving actionable government coercion under US law is difficult; private broadcasters retain editorial discretion, though if regulatory threats are used implicitly or explicitly, constitutional challenges may follow.

The spectacle has raised serious questions about broadcast licence regulation, media plurality and what kind of speech is protected under the First Amendment — particularly when speech involves political critique. Observers warn that allowing political pressure to influence content removal or suspensions could chill free expression across broadcast media.

What This Means For NBC and Other Hosts

Trump's demand that NBC fire Fallon and Meyers adds pressure to networks beyond ABC. If NBC were to act, it would set a remarkable precedent: one in which political leaders directly influence staffing decisions at private media firms, seemingly tied to content they find objectionable.

For Fallon and Meyers, currently not involved in any controversy of this scale, the demand may be more rhetorical than practical. But the situation signals heightened risk for any media figure who criticises or satirises Trump or his allies.

Networks now weigh the cost: whether preserving editorial integrity and commitment to free speech is worth the financial and regulatory pressures. ABC's parent company, Disney, and other media houses may face mounting decisions over whether compliance or pushback is the viable path.