Ric Grenell Blames Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension on “One-Sided” Late-Night Rhetoric

The Kennedy Center Gala is usually an evening of music, philanthropy, and celebration of the arts. But this year, the spotlight briefly shifted from the stage to a conversation about late-night television — and specifically, Jimmy Kimmel’s temporary suspension from Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Speaking on the red carpet at the gala benefiting the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell made headlines by blaming Kimmel’s suspension on the comedian’s “one-sided” rhetoric and questioning whether politically tilted programming can survive in today’s entertainment marketplace.

The Suspension That Sparked a Firestorm

Earlier this month, Disney-owned ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! after backlash over comments the host made linking the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to the “MAGA gang.” The allegation was discredited, sparking outrage and leading two major broadcast groups, Sinclair and Nexstar, to stop airing the show.

Both groups have since announced they will resume carriage of Kimmel’s program. But for Grenell, the suspension wasn’t simply about one comment. He framed it as part of a larger business and cultural problem.

“Disney Made a Business Decision”

“Look, I think from the beginning Disney made decisions because Jimmy was losing tens of millions of dollars every year,” Grenell told Fox News Digital in a blunt interview outside the gala.

“And I don’t think we should have DEI programming just because people are afraid of political blowback. You should be able to make decisions,” he continued.

For Grenell, the issue was clear: audiences are shrinking, revenues are slipping, and networks must adjust their programming if they hope to remain viable.

The Broadway Comparison

To illustrate his point, Grenell referenced a recent New York Times article on the state of Broadway, which painted a bleak picture for commercial musicals.

“The Broadway musical is in trouble,” the paper reported, noting that all 18 new commercial musicals that opened last season failed to turn a profit. Productions like Tammy Faye, Boop! and Smash, each costing at least $20 million to mount, closed within four months, losing their entire investments.

For Grenell, the lesson was that rising costs and risky content decisions are putting long-standing cultural institutions at risk. “People are not buying tickets,” he said. “We’ve got to do something to change that trajectory. And I think studios, broadcast networks, anyone in entertainment, has to be able to bring programming that people actually want.”

“One-Sided Humor Doesn’t Sell”

Grenell was especially direct about why he believes Jimmy Kimmel Live! has struggled.

“Let’s be honest,” he said. “Everybody knows that Jimmy Kimmel is losing money because he has guests that are just one side of the aisle. All his jokes are on one side of the aisle. And you’re just not going to make money when you take 50 percent of the customers off the table.”

In Grenell’s view, Kimmel’s brand of humor has alienated a large portion of potential viewers, and the network’s suspension of his show was as much a financial call as it was a reaction to outrage.

A Kennedy Center Perspective

Grenell also tied the controversy to his own work at the Kennedy Center, saying the institution had faced similar challenges before his tenure.

“And so we want to have a very strong message that says everyone is welcome here,” he said. “We have not canceled a single show. There have been some who have walked away because they don’t want to perform for Republicans. I say shame on that intolerance. Everyone should be welcome here, and we should not care who you voted for.”

Grenell emphasized inclusivity, arguing that cultural spaces should rise above partisan divides rather than reinforce them.

Mary Helen Bowers Adds Her Voice

Grenell wasn’t the only Kennedy Center figure to comment on the Kimmel saga. Board member Mary Helen Bowers, who joined the center’s board in 2020, also weighed in.

“Well, I thought his comments were disgusting and vile and Charlie Kirk is a great hero,” Bowers said. “But I think that, from my understanding of it, if his numbers were bad, and he wasn’t performing, then he shouldn’t be on the air.”

Bowers’ comments reinforced Grenell’s argument that finances, more than politics alone, drove the suspension.

Disney’s Balancing Act

Disney, for its part, has tried to walk a careful line. The suspension signaled the company was aware of the backlash, particularly among affiliates and advertisers, but reinstating Kimmel suggested the network was unwilling to abandon one of its longest-running late-night properties.

Whether that gamble will pay off remains to be seen. Kimmel’s first night back drew massive curiosity-driven ratings, but within 48 hours, viewership had dropped sharply. Industry analysts warn that the erosion of trust with audiences could have long-term consequences.

The Larger Cultural Question

Grenell’s comments raise a broader question facing all of entertainment: can cultural institutions afford to alienate large swaths of their potential audience?

From Broadway to broadcast TV, traditional platforms are facing shrinking viewership and rising costs. At the same time, audiences are fragmenting across streaming services and digital platforms, making it harder to sustain long-running franchises with one-sided appeal.

“The issue isn’t just Jimmy Kimmel,” one media analyst observed. “It’s the entire model of politically charged entertainment. If half the country feels excluded, you’re narrowing your audience before the show even begins.”

A Gala Overshadowed

While the Kennedy Center Gala was meant to highlight the work of the National Symphony Orchestra and celebrate the arts, Grenell’s pointed remarks ensured that headlines the next day were focused less on the music and more on the politics of late-night television.

Still, the gala raised significant funds for the orchestra and was attended by artists, philanthropists, and leaders across industries — proof that the institution’s core mission continues even amid controversy.

Conclusion: A Warning from Washington

Ric Grenell’s remarks at the Kennedy Center Gala were more than just commentary on Jimmy Kimmel. They were a warning about the state of entertainment itself.

Whether it’s Broadway musicals failing to recoup their investments or late-night hosts facing shrinking audiences, the message is clear: the business model of entertainment is changing. And in Grenell’s view, leaning too heavily into one-sided content is a recipe for financial and cultural failure.

For Disney and ABC, the question now is whether Kimmel’s return can stabilize his show — or whether his suspension will be remembered as the turning point when late-night television’s old formula finally broke.