Trump slams 'no talent' Jimmy Kimmel at Charlie Kirk memorial as he lashes out at media hypocrisy

Donald Trump used Charlie Kirk’s Arizona memorial to condemn political violence, media bias, and the 'radical Left' response to the killing
Donald Trump criticized Jimmy Kimmel during Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Glendale Arizona (Getty Images)
Donald Trump criticized Jimmy Kimmel during Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Glendale Arizona (Getty Images)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA: A memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk turned into a platform for Donald Trump to air grievances.

Speaking at the Arizona service for the 31-year-old shot dead earlier this month, Trump took aim at former late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 21: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10th while speaking at an event during his
Donald Trump addressed the crowd at State Farm Stadium during Charlie Kirk’s memorial (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Donald Trump takes a shot at Jimmy Kimmel

Without naming him, Trump sneered about “a canceled late-night TV show where the anchor had no talent and no ratings.”



 

ABC had pulled 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' off the air last Wednesday after the comedian cracked jokes about Kirk’s killing and his accused shooter.

“The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel had said. That didn’t sit well with conservatives, who’ve been pointing fingers at the left over the slaying.



 

Trump said Kimmel's late-night rant “implied that Charlie Kirk deserved what happened to him.”

The President is hammering the media and “radical Left” while channeling outrage from the stage. “Some of the very people who call you a hater for using the wrong pronoun, were filled with glee at the killing of a father with two beautiful young children,” Trump said.

“The same commentators who this week are crying fascism over a canceled late-night TV show, where the anchor had no talent and no ratings last, were implying Charlie deserved what happened to him," he added. “The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at all of us.”

Big arena send-off for Charlie Kirk

The service itself was no small affair. As CNN’s Boris Sanchez put it earlier in the day, the memorial carried a “unique blend of speeches." Trump took the stage at State Farm Stadium before tens of thousands, with overflow crowds spilling into other venues.

“He did not hate his opponents; he wanted the best for them,” Trump said of Kirk, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie, I hate my opponents and I don’t want the best for them.”

From there, he raged against “nasty” political violence, “paid agitators,” and the “allies in the media” who cheer it all on. Trump briefly pointed to Erika Kirk, who joined him on stage at the end. He said maybe she could talk him out of his vengeance and grievances.



 

Trump also marveled at the sheer crowd Kirk’s death drew. “He could always draw a big crowd… this is a big crowd,” he said, rattling off a list of cabinet members, senators, and congressmen in the audience. “He was an all-American in everything he did.”

Charlie Kirk’s final days and Jimmy Kimmel's ouster

Kirk’s shocking death came on September 10 when he was struck by a single bullet to the neck while addressing thousands of young supporters at Utah Valley University. The right-wing activist, known for his hot takes on gender, race, and other cultural flashpoints, left behind a wife and two young kids.

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk spoke at Utah Valley University on September 10 2025 before he was shot (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Kimmel, who initially called the killing “horrible and monstrous” in an Instagram post, ended up in hot water after his later jokes went viral. FCC Chair Brendan Carr ripped him on a conservative podcast, calling the routine “some of the sickest conduct possible” and even threatening Disney with action.

Shortly after, Nexstar, a major ABC affiliate owner, announced it would no longer air the show. Hours later, ABC suspended 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' indefinitely.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Law-enforcement sources said Griffin J John's shotgun had reportedly been legally purchased by his mother around his August birthday
2026-10-18T08:50:02.000Z
A man in his 30s was fatally shot on a Midtown subway platform by a gunman in a Deadpool-like outfit as terrified passengers fled
2026-10-18T08:07:39.000Z
Megan Lambert was among four people killed when a gunman opened fire in a special education classroom at the elementary school on Thursday
2026-10-18T05:32:09.000Z
Jason Miller interrupted Katie Zacharia’s Wall Street Journal interview, saying JD Vance wanted to speak with her before she left and never returned
2026-10-18T03:15:22.000Z
The rally took a different turn when an immigrant from Ghana voiced strong support for President Trump and his policies
2026-10-17T22:01:22.000Z
Laura Loomer’s relationship with Trump drew attention as she reportedly raised concerns directly with him about officials she viewed as disloyal
2026-10-17T21:30:09.000Z
The incident occurred as the Norte Fire tore through parts of southern Orange County after breaking out near San Clemente on Friday
2026-10-17T20:19:08.000Z
The mother's own experience had taught her how deeply a school shooting could affect a young person, even after the immediate danger had passed
2026-10-17T18:12:10.000Z
Katie Zacharia received her first ticket in Los Angeles County in June 2023 and was assigned a traffic school course
2026-10-17T09:01:12.000Z
Griffin John II had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary School, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said
2026-10-17T08:28:53.000Z