Letterman Hails Jimmy Kimmel as Leader of the Resistance in Defense of Democracy
Late-night television icon David Letterman offered a passionate public endorsement of Jimmy Kimmel’s political satire and outspoken commentary during a high-profile appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night. Letterman, who rarely appears on network television, praised Kimmel and his peers for their role in safeguarding democratic values, going so far as to call Kimmel the “leader of the resistance.”
The praise was delivered amidst a contentious period for late-night television, which has faced increasing political pressure and scrutiny. As he sat down with the host he has long mentored, Letterman asked, rhetorically, “People are aware of the fact that you are the leader of the resistance?” The question, which drew immediate cheers from the studio audience, was followed by a statement affirming the necessity of political ridicule for those in power. “If the leader of the free world is a fool, the leader of the free world should expect and examine every bit of ridicule he receives,” Letterman asserted, alluding to President Donald Trump, who has frequently targeted Kimmel and other late-night hosts.
When asked by Kimmel whether he misses having a nightly platform during such turbulent times, Letterman was quick to express relief, stating, “No, I am so glad to be out from under this mess.” He then pointed to the current hosts, including Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers, claiming they “do such a masterful job of defending democracy.” Letterman concluded his praise by saying, “Thank God for you, thank God for others, SNL and everybody else… I think it’s the way things need to be in a democracy that’s seemingly this crippled.” Letterman has been a vocal defender of Kimmel and free speech, having previously condemned ABC’s brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this year as “managed media” bowing to political pressure.
