The backlash surrounding Jimmy Kimmel continues to ripple across media and politics with no signs of slowing down. And it doesn't help that day by day, a growing number of voices are picking sides. Now, Bill O'Reilly is firmly planting himself in the anti-Kimmel camp, reversing from earlier support and sharply escalating his criticism against the late-night host.
Appearing on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, O’Reilly said he was “absolutely wrong” to previously defend Kimmel following the comedian's September 2025 suspension. O'Reilly reminded viewers that he cut Kimmel some slack when others argued Kimmel tried to blame MAGA supporters for Charlie Kirk's assassination.
But Kimmel's mock White House Correspondents' Dinner bit used up any good graces extended by O'Reilly. The former Fox News icon said “Kimmel has demonstrated to anybody who watches him that he hates — this is hate speech. It’s not funny. It’s not satire,” he said. “There’s no social redeeming quality to demeaning, whenever he can, the president and now the first lady.”
It echoes the sentiment O'Reilly shared earlier in the week when he said Kimmel should not be on the air, especially if he's only there to hate on President Donald Trump. O'Reilly may get his wish if the FCC decides to crack down on Disney because of Kimmel's comedy.
O'Reilly joins a list that includes President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Rudy Giuliani that have either blamed Kimmel for the violence at the real WHCD or called for him to lose his job. On the other side, figures like Senator Ted Cruz, actor George Clooney, and late-night legend Conan O'Brien have been more supportive of Kimmel's freedom of speech.
Still, O’Reilly’s stance is hardly surprising given his long, combative history with late-night television. During his years on The O’Reilly Factor, he frequently clashed with hosts like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, often criticizing them for what he viewed as partisan or unfair attacks on conservatives.
Those feuds became a compelling part of late-night and cable news in the 2000s and 2010s. O’Reilly positioned himself as the only one capable (or willing) of standing up to late-night’s increasingly political tone, as seen on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
So O'Reilly is no stranger to harsh criticism of politicians or getting in the mud with fellow commentators. But apparently, Kimmel went too far this time, crossing the line and going beyond satire into hate speech.
O'Reilly finds himself in the minority when it comes to that opinion. The voices on his side may be loud and powerful, but Kimmel remains safely on the air and willing to defend himself against any and all critics.
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