David Letterman has once again proven that he is not afraid to speak truth to power. During his appearance at the Atlantic Festival in New York City, the legendary late-night host launched a blistering critique of both the Trump administration and the Federal Communications Commission after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.

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On the Sept. 16 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian sparked controversy with sharp remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer. He said:

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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.”

As a result, pressure quickly mounted. FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared on Benny Johnson’s podcast and openly threatened ABC, saying the commission had “remedies we can look at.” Moreover, Carr added:

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Shortly after those comments, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be preempted indefinitely. Meanwhile, major broadcast groups like Sinclair and Nexstar, which operate more than 32 ABC affiliates, declared they would not air the show “for the foreseeable future.”

This decision immediately sparked widespread backlash. In addition, protests erupted across social media, and numerous celebrities, politicians, and free-speech advocates denounced the move as an assault on free expression. Critics pointed out that the timing felt especially troubling since Stephen Colbert’s Late Show is already set to end in May 2026, leaving fewer platforms for political comedy.

Letterman’s Unfiltered Response

When Letterman took the stage at the Atlantic Festival, he wasted no time addressing the controversy. “We all see where this is going, correct? It’s managed media,” he told Jeffrey Goldberg, the event’s moderator.

Furthermore, Letterman blasted the idea that comedians should be silenced to appease political figures. “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office. That’s just not how this works,” he said.

He also mocked Brendan Carr’s threatening tone. Referring to Carr’s “easy way or hard way” comment, Letterman asked:

“Who is hiring these goons? Mario Puzo?”
— a sharp jab at the author of The Godfather.

The FCC’s Role, Then and Now

To drive his point home, Letterman contrasted the FCC’s current stance with its original purpose. For example, he shared his personal experience of taking the FCC exam when he was 20 years old, earning his radio broadcasting license, and learning how limited the agency’s oversight truly was.

“The FCC — we’re not happy until you’re not happy, for God’s sakes,” he joked. “When I was a kid, I went to Chicago, passed the test, and got my third phone license. If you were a 50,000-watt Clear Channel station, once a year they’d check your dials to make sure you weren’t broadcasting too hot. And if you were, you’d get an $8 fine. That is the FCC. I don’t know what is going on now.”

Therefore, Letterman argued, today’s FCC has far overstepped its boundaries. Instead of focusing on technical regulations, it now appears to be policing political speech, which he believes undermines democratic values.

Comedy and Political Power

Letterman also reminded the audience that late-night comedy has always been about pushing back against political leaders. In fact, throughout his decades-long career, he lampooned presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama.

Except for Carter, whom he described as “a sweet guy,” Letterman explained that his show “mercilessly” targeted nearly every administration. “The point is beating up on these people, rightly or wrongly, accurately or perhaps inaccurately, in the name of comedy,” he said. “Not once were we squeezed by anyone from any governmental agency, let alone the dreaded FCC.”

Moreover, he emphasized that no president — regardless of party — should ever feel threatened by a late-night comedian. “The institution of the president of the United States ought to be bigger than a guy doing a talk show,” Letterman concluded.

Why This Matters

Ultimately, Letterman’s comments highlight a larger concern about free speech in American media. If comedians can be censored at the whim of government officials or corporate pressure, then the independence of the press and entertainment industry is at serious risk. As a result, many fear this episode may set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.