2WAY Morning Meeting — Episode Summary

Episode: Jimmy Kimmel Doesn't Apologize in Monologue, Slams Trump and Carr, Tears Up As He Praises Erika Kirk
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, Dan Turrentine
Podcast: 2WAY Morning Meeting

Overview

This weekday edition of the 2WAY Morning Meeting features the trio breaking down the biggest story of the news cycle: Jimmy Kimmel’s much-anticipated monologue following his return to late-night television after controversy over his comments related to the shooting of Charlie Kirk. The hosts also examine President Trump’s changing stance on Russia and Ukraine, ongoing political maneuvering on Capitol Hill, and the optics and fallout from high-profile Democratic figures like Chuck Schumer, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. More than a rundown, the show provides critical, unscripted conversations with both insight and humor, inviting real-time listener participation.

Key Topics & Highlights

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Monologue: No Apology, Political Firestorm

Discussion Begins: [04:02]

• Main Issue: Jimmy Kimmel’s return monologue after his suspension for comments on the Kirk shooting.

• Reaction:

  • Mark Halperin stays up late watching, remarks on the media circus and split public reception.
  • Decision: Audience decides not to replay Kimmel highlights, as most have watched already ([06:19]).
  • Political Fallout:
    • Sean Spicer highlights a social media post from Andrew Colvin (Kirk’s producer) calling out Kimmel for not sufficiently apologizing ([09:24]):

      "Not good enough. Jimmy, it’s simple...I’m sorry for saying the shooter was MAGA. He was not. He was of the left. I apologize to the Kirk family for lying. Please accept my sincere apology. I will do better. I was wrong." – Andrew Colvin ([09:24])

    • Spicer divides apologies into “real ones” and “weasel ones,” claiming Kimmel offered the latter ([10:38]):

      "There are two types of apologies. ... The second are the weasel ones. And the weasel ones were 'I’m sorry if you’re offended.' And that’s what Jimmy did last night." – Sean Spicer ([10:38])

    • Division Deepens: Spicer notes even anti-Trump Republicans (like Peter Meijer) found Kimmel’s stance “outrageous”.

• Business Fallout to Watch:

  • Dan: “Watch advertisers and Disney’s pending business. ... And Jimmy Kimmel’s contract negotiations.” ([11:45])
  • Mark: Wonders about immediate next steps.
  • Sean: Sees this as a reinforcement of the belief on the right that media elites are above accountability.

Listener Reaction (Later in Show, Q&A):

• Grant from Texas ([43:03]):

  “I found it really pathetic...If my child had done something wrong and gave me that sort of apology, I would absolutely not believe they felt like they had done wrong."

• Michelle ([54:35]):
  • Argues forgiveness isn’t conditional on apology and is more for the benefit of the aggrieved:

    “Forgiveness is something you do for you... In the same way Erica Kirk didn’t wait for Charlie’s assassin to ask for forgiveness...I’m going to choose to forgive [Kimmel] and move on." ([55:52])

2. Political & Congressional Developments

Starts: [05:02], [07:03], [24:48]

• White House & Congress:
  • Light schedule for the President. Rose Garden Club dinner discussed.
  • Vice President in North Carolina for RNC fundraiser.
  • “Not much happening on Capitol Hill”—possible government shutdown discussed.
  • Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries on Morning Joe:
    • Jeffries lambasts Trump for divisive post-tragedy rhetoric.
    • Schumer signals difficulty in averting a government shutdown.
• Shutdown Prospects:
  • Hosts agree: No movement expected in next 24 hours ([23:32])
• Senate Leadership:
  • Politico story reveals no enthusiasm among candidates for Schumer.
  • Will Schumer be leader in 2029?
    • Dan: “Yes for next Congress, but I think he’ll announce he’s not running for reelection.”
    • Sean & Mark: Lean toward no—expect him to step down.

3. Russia, Ukraine, and Trump’s Rhetoric

Starts: [12:52]

• President’s Social Post:

  • Trump calls Russia a “paper tiger,” urges Ukraine to “win the war,” claims Europe needs to step up.
  • Russian officials respond mockingly, labeling Russia a “bear, not a paper tiger.”
  • Reactions:
    • Former NSA Mike Waltz: Trump’s “frustration” with Putin, need for Europe to increase defense spending ([14:17])
    • Hillary Clinton (on Morning Joe): Supports Trump’s shift, but questions if rhetoric will become action ([15:40])

      “You have to show strength… Putin has no respect for words, only action.” – Hillary Clinton ([16:06])

• Hosts Debate Next Steps:

  • Mark: “President’s truth social post...raised more questions than it answered.” ([16:50])
  • Dan: Skeptical that any of the big moves (peace talks, sanctions, broad military support) are likely soon ([20:58])
  • Sean: “None of that will happen unless Europe cuts off Russian energy.” ([21:05])

4. Kamala Harris’ Book Tour and Democratic Discontent

Starts: [24:55]

• Negative Coverage: Both Politico and Free Press report backlash among Democrats at Harris’ book tour, calling it “self-serving” and “gossipy.”
• Fixes Proposed:
  • Sean: Urges Harris to pivot and announce a bold left-leaning policy or mount a direct attack on Trump ([26:35])
  • Dan: “Her base is frustrated...She needs to throw the base some red meat to get them off the circular firing squad.” ([27:07])
  • Both agree the tour is not landing well, despite high sales on Amazon.

5. Gavin Newsom, AOC, and 2028 Democratic Race

Starts: [29:06], [32:05], [33:49]

• Newsom on Colbert: Defends California’s climate and health leadership, frames Dems as “willing to fight” against Trump’s agenda

  “We have 41 lawsuits against this son of a bitch...Democrats, frankly, have had a difficult time pushing back.” – Gavin Newsom ([29:35])

• AOC’s Ad for Prop 50:

  • Both Dan and Sean rate her voter-targeted ad as effective for CA Democrats, but fault lack of call-to-action.
  • Sean (in full ‘Dancing with the Stars’ critic mode): “I’m going to give her 7.5” ([33:43])

• 2028 Democratic Nominee Speculation:

  • Names floated: Newsom, Andy Beshear, AOC, Gretchen Whitmer, Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, Michael Bennet.
  • Mark facetiously: “Newsom, Shapiro, and Michael Bennet.” ([34:48])

6. Mass Shooting at Dallas ICE Facility

Starts: [09:06], [21:52]

• Breaking coverage and live reactions to an ICE shooting with multiple victims.
  • Discussions with Trisha McLaughlin (Homeland Security) on details, motive, and security concerns ([21:52]–[23:32]).

7. Listener Q&A: Accountability, Forgiveness, the Democratic Party, and Texas Politics

Begins: [38:15]

• Chuck from Oklahoma: Calls for more Democratic leaders to admit mistakes for trust to be rebuilt.

  “The only way to regain trust is to admit where you were wrong.” – Dan Turrentine ([40:15]) “The border is the biggest one...” – Chuck ([41:07])

• Grant from Texas: Shares dismay at Kimmel’s non-apology; asks about Texas Senate GOP primary.
• David from Brooklyn: Observes right-wing Christian nationalism at Kirk’s memorial and laments selective media coverage ([51:08], [51:41])
• Michelle: Offers a heartfelt call for forgiveness, contrasts spiritual approach with political tribalism ([54:35])

8. Memorable Quotes

• Sean Spicer ([10:38]): "What Kimmel did last night was reinforce the lines. He didn’t apologize."
• Dan Turrentine ([27:07]): "Her problem is the base was so frustrated...She’s got no friends right now."
• Mark Halperin ([16:50]): "The president’s truth social post in some ways raised more questions than it answered."
• Hillary Clinton ([16:06]): "Putin has no respect for words, only action."
• Gavin Newsom ([29:35]): "This guy is flooding the zone...Facts don’t seem to matter."
• Michelle ([55:52]): "Forgiveness is something that you do for you. It’s a gift...I’m going to choose to forgive Jimmy Kimmel and move on."
• Sean Spicer ([57:58]): "If you’re not going to recognize what you did wrong, then you have the right to say it. ... I’ll defend that. But so do I have the right to say what you said was wrong and offensive."

Additional Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• Kimmel Business Fallout: [11:45], [12:25]
• Chuck Schumer/Joe Biden Shutdown Debate: [07:03]–[12:52], [23:32]
• Kamala Harris Book Tour Discussion: [24:55]–[28:51]
• AOC’s Prop 50 Ad Theater Review: [32:05]–[33:49]
• Speculation on 2028 Democratic candidates: [33:49]–[35:14]
• Live audience questions and responses: [38:15]–[61:16]
• Faith, forgiveness, and political discourse post-Kirk: [54:35]–[59:48]

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation swings easily between biting political critique and moments of genuine empathy and candor. There’s a clear sense that the Kimmel saga is less about the comedian himself and more a proxy for broad cultural and political division. Amid sharp disagreements, listeners and hosts alike grapple with the limits of outrage, the meaning of apology, and the possibility of healing and accountability—even when the wounds, political and personal, run deep.

In the words of Michelle ([55:52]):

“Holding onto anger isn’t moving our country forward, and it’s not helping us heal and come together.”

**For further engagement, listeners are urged to join upcoming live sessions, continue the conversation online, and—above all—bring “peace, love, and understanding to the party.”