Megyn Kelly Criticizes Jimmy Kimmel for Discussing Politics on His Late-Night Show

Kelly argues Kimmel should follow the example of Johnny Carson and avoid serious issues on his program.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering sequins, capturing the tension and drama of the late-night TV debate through high-contrast, abstract textures.The heated debate over late-night TV's role in political discourse is reflected in the dramatic textures of shattered glamour.Los Angeles Today

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly criticized late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for discussing political topics on his show, arguing that he should follow the example of legendary host Johnny Carson and avoid 'serious issues.' Kelly played a clip of Carson from 1979 stating that as an entertainer, he did not believe it was his role to use his show as a 'forum' to 'sway people' on political matters. Kelly accused Kimmel of 'smearing' Carson's legacy by suggesting the former host would have spoken out against former President Trump.

Why it matters

Kelly's criticism of Kimmel reflects an ongoing debate within the entertainment industry about the role of late-night hosts in addressing political and social issues. Some argue that comedians should stick to humor and avoid 'preaching,' while others believe that entertainers have a responsibility to use their platforms to discuss important topics. This clash highlights the evolving nature of late-night television and the changing expectations of audiences.

The details

During an episode of her web show, Megyn Kelly played a clip of Johnny Carson from 1979 in which the former 'Tonight Show' host stated that he did not believe it was his role as an entertainer to use his program as a 'forum' to 'sway people' on political matters. Kelly then accused Jimmy Kimmel of 'smearing' Carson's legacy by suggesting that the legendary host would have spoken out against former President Trump. Kelly argued that Kimmel should follow Carson's example of 'humility' rather than 'hubris' by avoiding serious political discussions on his show. She also claimed that Kimmel's show is 'failing' due to his political commentary, though ABC data shows Kimmel's program continues to perform well in ratings and online viewership.

  • In 1979, Johnny Carson made comments about avoiding political discussions on his late-night show.
  • On April 16, 2026, Megyn Kelly criticized Jimmy Kimmel for discussing political topics on his program.

The players

Megyn Kelly

A former Fox News host who now hosts a conservative web show and has criticized late-night comedians for addressing political issues on their programs.

Jimmy Kimmel

The host of the late-night talk show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' who has been outspoken in his political commentary, particularly in criticizing former President Donald Trump.

Johnny Carson

The legendary host of 'The Tonight Show' from 1962 to 1992, who was known for avoiding political discussions on his program.

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What they’re saying

“That's a danger. It's a real danger. Once you start that, you start to get that self-important feeling that what you say has great import. And you know, strangely enough, you could use that show as a forum. You could sway people. And I don't think you should as an entertainer.”

— Johnny Carson, Former 'Tonight Show' Host

“Well, look at that. The difference between humility and hubris. One man is humble and understands his role and how valuable it is... But Jimmy Kimmel needs to feel important.”

— Megyn Kelly, Conservative Web Show Host

The takeaway

This debate over the role of late-night hosts in addressing political and social issues reflects the evolving expectations of audiences and the ongoing tension between entertainment and activism in the media landscape. As audiences become more politically engaged, the question of how much comedians and entertainers should weigh in on serious topics remains a point of contention.