Americast (BBC News)
Episode: Has Trump cancelled Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk?
Date: September 18, 2025
Overview
This episode covers two main threads in US-UK relations and American political culture:
- Donald Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to the UK, with a special focus on his cordial but complex relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and their diplomacy over hot global issues.
- The eruption of a “free speech” debate in the US triggered by the firing of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death, delving into Trump’s influence on media and questions of cancel culture.
The hosts—Sarah Smith, Justin Webb, and Mariana Spring ("Misinformation")—provide on-the-ground reporting, analysis, and real-time reactions from Trump's UK visit, dissect the dynamics between world leaders, and tackle the culture war over freedom of expression.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s State Visit: Diplomacy, Disagreement, and Performance
Setting the Scene
- Trump’s second state visit is seen as a diplomatic milestone, marked by restraint and mutual respect, particularly during his press conference with PM Keir Starmer.
- The UK’s hospitality—including a state dinner at Windsor Castle and a grand press opportunity at Chequers—was lavish, and Trump appeared charmed and well-behaved by his standards.
- The historic tone stems partly from the carefully-managed choreography by both governments—Starmer in particular "disagreed agreeably" with Trump, especially over Israel/Gaza and Ukraine.
Starmer-Trump Relationship
- “They kept touching each other on the arm or on the shoulder in a way that looked, you know, almost genuinely affectionate. … I think these two do really like and respect each other.” — Sarah Smith [04:44]
- Although Trump did not fully engage on disagreements, their rapport suggests Starmer has “won the ability to disagree with [Trump] agreeably”—meaning the UK can now pursue differing policies without fear of retaliation.
- Insider scoop: Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, said that while the pomp impressed the Americans, “the President will always make decisions in America’s best interest, not caring what his friends, allies have to say about it.” — Sarah Smith relaying Susie Wiles [08:38]
Gaza and Palestinian Statehood
- Starmer is poised to recognize Palestinian statehood; Trump is firmly against, seeing it as “rewarding Hamas.”
- Trump: “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score. Okay. One of our few disagreements, actually.” [10:51]
- Starmer’s win: UK can chart its foreign policy course without fear, but cannot shift Trump on Israel.
Ukraine and Putin
- Trump’s relationship with Putin described as “sour”; Trump critical, but downplays US stakes:
“He has let me down. ... But again, it doesn't affect the United States and ... you are a lot closer to the scene than we are. We have a whole ocean separating us.” — Donald Trump [13:26] - Starmer insists on ramping up pressure on Putin; Trump shifts responsibility to European oil buyers.
Epstein & Mandelson: The Skirted Scandal
- Sarah Smith notes Trump adopted plausible deniability on Peter Mandelson’s Epstein links: “I don’t know him.” — [16:15]
- This reflects calculated PR: “You can see, I think it shows a knowingness and it might be that he just came up with it in the moment.” — Mariana Misinformation [16:56]
2. The UK Visit on Social Media & Public Impressions
- Coverage on algorithm-driven social media was less about politics and more about pageantry—“most of the conversation online … focused … on the royal part of it and on one of mine and Sarah's favourite topics, outfits, and particularly Melania Trump’s incredible hat.” — Mariana Misinformation [15:26]
- This points to a disconnect between elite geopolitics and viral online conversation.
3. Jimmy Kimmel, Charlie Kirk, and the Free Speech Wars
What Happened?
- Jimmy Kimmel, a leading late-night talk show host, is fired/suspended; his on-air joke about Charlie Kirk’s death stokes controversy amidst a broader culture war and government scrutiny on hate speech.
- Clips are played from Kimmel’s monologue.
The Free Speech and Media Landscape
- “So there’s a real free speech debate going in the US at the moment, which probably meant that not too many lectures were handed out by any of the administration officials whilst they were in the uk. But it’s a massive deal, isn’t it?” — Sarah Smith [18:57]
- Stephen Colbert’s show is not being renewed; Seth Meyers seen as “at risk,” suggesting pressure or chilling effect on anti-Trump hosts.
Trump’s Response
- “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. … He was fired for lack of talent.” — Donald Trump [20:35]
- Trump rejects that it’s a free speech issue, framing it as market forces.
Behind the Scenes: Business or Censorship?
- Smith explains, “This is basically about a business deal... a Trump appointee has to allow [a media merger] ... That’s not going to happen if the Trump administration is upset with them for showing the Jimmy Kimmel show.” [21:49]
- The decision is presented as a strategic move for business survival under a hostile administration, not mere censorship—but it reveals "the chilling effect of the Trump administration.”
Hypocrisy and the Culture War
- Mariana raises the parallel of right-wing media celebrating when Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi’s husband, was attacked, and the inconsistency in who is “canceled” or punished for tasteless jokes.
- “Imagine if this was the other way round... when Paul Pelosi... was attacked, there were people on the right...who made really, really distasteful jokes about this. And that was celebrated.” — Mariana [24:21]
4. Closing Reflection: Polarization and the American Condition
- The episode closes philosophically, noting how mutual political loathing is now a norm:
“There are very few people who like people who are politically opposed to them. … Now you have people on the left celebrating the death of this guy and believing, genuinely believing that their opponents are evil. And the big issue now for the States ... is... whether they want to live with each other or not in the future.” — Justin Webb [28:00]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the state visit’s atmosphere:
“It was the most amiable and polite and disciplined I've ever seen Donald Trump in my life. … Very, very diplomatic. And that's not something we often say about Donald Trump.” — Sarah Smith [02:43] -
On media and freedom of speech:
“You should be able to joke about certain things, you should be able to comment on certain things. … That's why quite a lot of people are saying, hang on a second, this seems hypocritical.” — Mariana Misinformation [20:53] -
On cancel culture from the right:
“These kinds of decisions ... feel like ... they are starting to tip into sort of right wing cancel culture, which is something that people on the right have very much been against from the left.” — Mariana Misinformation [27:33] -
On America’s division:
“Now you have people on the left celebrating the death of this guy and believing, genuinely believing that their opponents are evil. … The big issue now for the States ... is... whether they want to live with each other or not in the future.” — Justin Webb [28:00]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- State Visit Recap & Press Conference Insights: 01:05–12:27
- Gaza, Israel Policy, and UK/US Differences: 06:17–12:27
- Ukraine and Putin: 12:27–14:48
- Mandelson/Epstein “Elephant in the Room”: 15:42–16:56
- Social Media Perceptions of the Visit: 14:48–15:42
- Jimmy Kimmel, Charlie Kirk, and Free Speech: 17:38–24:21
- Culture War, Cancel Culture, and the Media: 24:21–27:33
- Final Reflection on US Polarization: 27:33–29:18
Summary Table
| Segment | Timestamps | Main Points | |--------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Trump’s UK Visit & Press Conference | 01:05–12:27 | Unusually diplomatic Trump; respectful disagreements; key issues: Gaza/Ukraine. | | Social Media & Public Reaction | 14:48–15:42 | Online focus more on pageantry than politics. | | Jimmy Kimmel & Free Speech | 17:38–24:21 | Kimmel fired over Kirk joke; Trump blames poor ratings; chilling effect on media| | Cancel Culture & Comparison | 24:21–27:33 | Hypocrisy highlighted across ideological lines; right engaging in cancel culture| | Closing Reflection | 27:33–29:18 | Deep divides in America; challenges of mutual co-existence. |
Tone and Style
The episode maintains Americast’s trademark mix of insightful, dryly witty BBC analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and a conversational, accessible style. Satirical and impersonator soundbites punctuate the discussion, keeping heavy topics approachable.
This summary is intended for those who have not listened to the episode, capturing both its informative substance and engaging character while highlighting the most critical moments and contextualizing their significance within contemporary US and UK political life.