Jimmy Kimmel and ABC face backlash as critics accuse late-night host of 'glorifying' Tesla attacks

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid growing headlines about Tesla arson attacks, Jimmy Kimmel and ABC are facing increasing backlash for seemingly downplaying the vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships.

During a recent monologue, the late-night host mocked Tesla CEO and DOGE chair Elon Musk over the company’s stock struggles, eliciting huge cheers from the audience.

However, his comments quickly drew criticism, with Musk slamming the comedian as an "unfunny jerk." Now, more critics have taken to social media to share harsh comments about Kimmel and ABC, the network that airs 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Jimmy Kimmel and ABC face backlash over late-night host's remarks on Tesla attacks

Following Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the Tesla arson attacks, both he and ABC have come under fire from numerous critics, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), CNN commentator Scott Jennings, Fox News contributor Joe Concha, and Vice President JD Vance.

Hannity harshly criticized Kimmel, calling him an "unhinged loser" and targeting Disney CEO Bob Iger. "Bob, are you OK with this seeming glorification of violence? Is this the inclusive woke, DEI, the ABC Disney brand?" Hannity asked. "You're the CEO of Disney. Are you proud of this?"

Similarly, Senator Lee took aim at the network, questioning whether ABC condoned Kimmel’s alleged incitement of criminal behavior and asking if any action would be taken.

"Does ABC approve of Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air incitement of criminal behavior? Will ABC take any action or make any statement in response to it? If not, why not?" Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

Conservative CNN commentator Jennings argued, "The message from the American Left to conservatives is unmistakable: silence yourselves, or we will do it for you. This isn’t comedy - these are marching orders." 

Fox News contributor Concha stated, "ABC and Disney are just allowing this third-place, fifth-rate late-night host to advocate firebombings and shootings at Tesla dealerships. It’s the Antifa era in late night."

Vice President Vance also criticized Kimmel, claiming that his audience is negligible, as per Fox News.

On Vince Coglianese’s radio show, Vance joked, "In defense of the American people, Jimmy Kimmel's show is so unfunny and boring and left-wing that it's probably not a representative sample. If you go to a ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ viewing, you have to really be a humorless scold. So, I hope that's isolated to a very small number of people."

Jimmy Kimmel criticizes Elon Musk for 'gleefully' putting thousands of Americans out of work

Jimmy Kimmel revisited the topic of the rising Tesla attacks on Thursday night, saying, "I mentioned last night multiple Teslas were burned at a Tesla facility in Las Vegas. Authorities are now investigating which Teslas were set on fire — and which set themselves on fire."

He also took a swipe at the January 6 Capitol rioters, stating, “And while no one should be setting anything on fire, ever, people are mad at Elon Musk for randomly and gleefully putting thousands of Americans out of work, including veterans. But the MAGA gang – which has been very against any kind of violent protest since January 7, was it? 2021? That’s when they started being against it, they are highly upset." 

ABC, owned by Disney, has long been viewed by critics as a liberal network and has been at odds with President Donald Trump.

The network’s presidential debate, co-moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, faced backlash from conservatives for its perceived one-sided fact-checking. Additionally, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ close relationship with Disney executive Dana Walden, who oversees all ABC programming, has raised eyebrows.

It appeared that ABC was attempting to shift its stance with Trump following his return to office, settling a defamation lawsuit with the network in December 2024 over comments made by star anchor George Stephanopoulos. However, the Kimmel controversy has reignited the tension.