ESPN host Stephen A. Smith is facing plenty of backlash after his comments following Jimmy Kimmel‘s suspension from ABC over his comments on Donald Trump, which many media outlets are spinning as an attack on the late Charlie Kirk. Prominent media personalities like Keith Olbermann have slammed the “First Take” host for his comments, and Smith is doing some damage control.
During an appearance on CNN, Smith clarified his comments on Kimmel and said that President Donald Trump is attacking free speech by going after late night talk show hosts like Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. He insisted that Trump’s FCC chair forced ABC to suspend Kimmel over his jokes which actually targeted Trump, not Kirk.
“I think it’s obvious that the president is on a vengeance tour,” he said. “He’s out to exact retribution against all naysayers, all critics, anybody he deems necessary to go after, and he’s made no apologies for it. He’s told us on numerous occasions that that is what he intends to do and that is what he’s doing.”
“When you look at Jimmy Kimmel and the stance that he took, do i believe that it was the wisest thing he took? No. But it was certainly his within his right to do so and it should be within his right to do so, as is the case for Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon or everybody else,” he added.
Thank you as always for having me @thelauracoates pic.twitter.com/oaEbecaRKj
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 20, 2025
Kimmel joked about Trump being more concerned about his new White House ballroom than the death of Kirk. This was soon used by FCC chair Brendan Carr to threaten ABC and its affiliates to take action against Kimmel. The move was soon slammed by critics as trying to silence Trump’s critics, with many pointing out that Trump cannot take a joke and is punishing comedians from doing so.
Stephen A. Smith Once Said He Wanted To Become Jimmy Kimmel’s Successor At ABC
ABC, which airs “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and ESPN, which airs Smith’s “First Take,” are both owned by Disney. When Smith attacked Kimmel, many accused the ESPN host of towing the company line or pandering to the right.
Robert Littal, founder of BlackSportsOnline, was one of the many people who slammed Smith for attacking Kimmel and pointed out that he had been after Kimmel’s job for years. This accusation came from Smith’s interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, where he admitted that he wanted to do a late night show and wanted to be the “heir” of Kimmel.
Smith himself has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on several occasions when Kimmel was on vacation.
Related:
Cavinder Twins, Lane Kiffin, Pat McAfee and More Mourn Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Death at 31
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