Deadline: White House

Episode Title: “Typically called bribery”
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Nicolle Wallace
Guests: Dominic Patton, Tim Miller, Mitch Landrieu, Carol Leonnig, Andrew Weissmann

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the abrupt suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show amidst accusations of political pressure and threats to free speech, plus the mounting outrage from Hollywood, corporate America, and the wider public. It further examines the latest, deeply unsettling moves within the Trump administration: from prosecutorial overreach and intimidation of critics to alarming allegations of corruption and bribery at the highest levels. The panel, composed of journalists, analysts, and former public officials, offers candid, urgent analysis on the state of American democracy, the First Amendment, and the rule of law.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Jimmy Kimmel Suspension and First Amendment Backlash

• Breaking News: Jimmy Kimmel’s return after ABC/Disney suspended his show due to “ill-timed” comments—sparked massive backlash from celebrities, viewers, and even Disney’s own talent.
• Public Reaction: Influential figures (Olivia Rodrigo, Tom Hanks, Wanda Sykes, etc.) and viewers called for ABC/Disney boycotts, cancellations of subscriptions, and open rebuke for the suspension. Even musicians withdrew from Disney events.
• Outrage within Disney: Stars and creators like Sarah McLachlin and Damon Lindelof joined the protest; Disney actors and even former CEO Michael Eisner spoke out.
• Notable Analogy: Ana Navarro (from The View) compared the situation to authoritarian regimes, warning:

  "This is what dictators and authoritarians do. It does not matter the ideology. At first they silence the press, but then they come for all of us."
  (Ana Navarro, 03:16)

2. Corporate Response—Strength, Weakness, or Business as Usual?

• Analysis: Dominic Patton observed that Disney’s move was primarily a business decision, but the rapid, widespread backlash (celebrity pressure, subscriber losses) forced a rapid rethink.

  “They wanted to find a pathway to find Kimmel back. They found one, clearly. But what is going to be very interesting is what are the details? What’s the fine print of that return?”
  (Dominic Patton, 05:01)

• Corporate Vulnerability: ABC/Disney’s exposure to FCC scrutiny and affiliate negotiations (including Nexstar, Sinclair) played a major role in the decision calculus.

• John Oliver’s Plea: Wallace plays John Oliver’s viral address urging Iger to face down political bullies:

  “Giving the bully your lunch money doesn’t make him go away. It just makes him come back hungrier each time… Instead of rolling over, why not stand up and use four keywords they don’t tend to teach you in business school: You make me.”
  (John Oliver via Tim Miller, 06:04)

• Historical Context: Former CEO Michael Eisner publicly lambasted the suspension as “out of control intimidation.”

  “Maybe the Constitution should have said: Congress shall make no law breaching the freedom of speech or of the press except in one’s political or financial self interest.”
  (Michael Eisner, 09:01)

3. The First Amendment, Bullying, and Authoritarianism

• Comedians Respond: Wallace plays a united public response from comedy icons—Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman—defending free expression:

  “With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch. And if ABC thinks this is gonna satisfy the regime… that's just not how this works."
  (Various, 11:01–11:36)

• Cycle of Appeasement: Tim Miller and Dominic Patton warn of dangers when institutions "obey in advance" (referencing Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny), with elites and companies folding under pressure rather than testing their cases in court.

  • “...Way too many prominent organizations and institutions have just folded to his pressure campaign... They silenced Jimmy Kimmel without any actual tangible threats to them, at least at the Disney level.”
    (Tim Miller, 13:11–13:56)

• Wallace’s Summary:

  "Appeasement and surrender do not work. If someone uses their power to come after universities or religious institutions, critics, or the press, or banning books... they're taking your freedom away. And everybody in the country knows that freedom isn’t free."
  (Nicole Wallace, 15:01)

4. Climate of Fear in Hollywood and Corporate America

• Industry Chilling Effect:

  “I think that people feel more than a chill. I think they're putting on winter coats in September, to use a figurative example.”
  (Dominic Patton, 18:03)

• Consequences for Cowardice: Those who over-prioritize short-term business concerns (“betting democracy won’t be the better brand in 36 months”), risk alienating talent, losing subscribers, and damaging their legacy.

5. The Trump Administration: DOJ as a Tool, Not a Shield

• Bribery & Corruption Claim:

  • Wallace covers the MSNBC scoop: Tom Homan, Trump’s "border czar," allegedly caught on FBI surveillance accepting a $50,000 cash bribe in a Kava bag during a federal sting, then saw his investigation shelved after Trump retook office.
  • Carol Leonnig explains:

    "...It all culminated in a September 20, 2024, meeting in Texas where the intermediary was also there and Mr. Homan accepted this bag of cash, $50,000 worth. What was striking... they didn't target Mr. Homan, but they ended up finding him because of another subject... but the case stalled as soon as Trump's team took over the FBI and the Department of Justice."
    (Carol Leonnig, 33:39–35:19)

• White House Reaction:

  “They didn’t deny that he took the money... What they did say was this: There was no criminal evidence of wrongdoing, nothing credible that they could find, and that's why it was closed.”
  (Carol Leonnig, 37:06)

• Chilling Precedent: Tim Miller and Dominic Patton: Political allies are shielded from prosecution (“actual criminality”), while critics face manufactured cases and intimidation.

  • “For real, actual criminality... you can get away with nearly anything, including beating the hell out of police officers. But if you are an opponent ... you may find yourself in jail.”
    (Tim Miller, 38:15)

6. Manufactured Prosecutions & Rule of Law in Crisis

• Efforts to Prosecute Trump Critics & Protect Allies:
  • The forced resignation of U.S. Attorney Eric Siebert—who refused to indict former FBI Director Comey or NY Attorney General Tish James—shows how longtime DOJ norms are eroding.
  • Andrew Weissmann:

    “There is something with the people who are needed to enable Donald Trump—Trump pushing back and even though they're his people. It has gone so far that you have people who are even sort of loyal MAGA, people chosen for their loyalty saying this is a bridge too far."
    (Andrew Weissmann, 44:11–46:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the core theme of the episode:

  "Because the thing that's standing between autocracy is the American people. That is the only thing that's left... Shame on [leaders] for it. But if they go read the letter from Birmingham from Dr. King, maybe they'll... rethink their unwillingness to stand up for the things that actually make America important and strong."
  (Nicole Wallace, 16:48)

• On courage in the face of fear:

  “Courage isn’t the absence of fear, by the way. Courage is really overcoming the fear... Courage is feeling scared and doing the right thing anyway, it's hard to do.”
  (Nicole Wallace & Mitch Landrieu, 29:20)

• Encapsulation of the corruption theme:

  “In an undercover operation last year, the FBI recorded Tom Homan... accepting $50,000 in cash after indicating he could help the agents who were posing as business executives win government contracts. In a second Trump administration, the FBI and Justice Department planned to wait to see whether Homan would deliver... But the case indefinitely stalled soon after Donald Trump became president again in January.”
  (Nicole Wallace, 32:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Coverage/Boycott Response:
  [00:47]–[04:49]

• Industry Backlash/John Oliver Plea:
  [05:55]–[09:55]

• First Amendment & Authoritarianism (Colbert/Meyers segment):
  [11:01]–[15:01]

• Hollywood Fear & Corporate Cowardice:
  [17:30]–[19:35]

• Bribery Scandal/Tom Homan FBI Sting:
  [32:55]–[37:46]

• Selective Prosecution in DOJ under Trump:
  [37:55]–[44:11]

• Panel on Courage & American Ideals:
  [28:28]–[29:20]

Conclusion

This episode delivers an urgent, impassioned analysis of how American democratic norms and the First Amendment are under threat—from both government overreach and corporate capitulation. The hosts and guests press leaders in media and business to choose courage over short-term comfort, highlight the cost of appeasement, and warn that only broad, fearless civic action can safeguard core freedoms. The closing note: As the administration targets critics and shields allies, civil society’s resilience—and the will to fight back—are now the bulwark against rising authoritarianism.