The Benny Show - September 19, 2025

Episode Title: Stephen Colbert DOUBLES DOWN On Jimmy Kimmel's Lies | Inside Decision to RIP Jimmy Kimmel Off Air...
Host: Benny Johnson
Guests: Rep. Byron Donalds, Alex Bruesewitz, Tyler Boyer, ALX (on-air producer)
Theme: Exposing establishment media, celebrating the late Charlie Kirk, and analyzing the takedown of Jimmy Kimmel after his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Overview

This emotionally charged episode of The Benny Show is rooted in profound remembrance and tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently assassinated. Benny Johnson broadcasts live from Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, sharing reflections on Kirk’s legacy, the vast memorial in his honor, and the immense cultural impact Kirk had on conservatism and youth politics.

The episode pivots from honoring Kirk to dissecting recent media controversies surrounding the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after comments widely seen as victim-blaming and defamatory towards Kirk and MAGA supporters. Benny and guests analyze the layers of public pressure, the broadcast business, FCC implications, and the significance of enforcing culture war "consequences."

The show features pointed commentary on mainstream media, the moral responsibilities of public figures, and the necessity for conservatives to wield their cultural power and not yield to “weak” Republicans. Throughout, guests share powerful memories, advice for the movement’s future, and a call to honor Kirk’s mission by actively engaging in politics and culture.

Key Discussion Points

1. Remembrance & Legacy of Charlie Kirk

• Opening (00:31—05:00): Benny vividly describes the massive public memorial outside Turning Point USA and Kirk’s foundational role in making TPUSA a powerhouse—a moment of raw personal and movement-wide grief.

  • "[The memorial] stretches on forever and ever... blocks and blocks, 20ft deep. Flowers, American flags, memories of Charlie." —Benny Johnson (01:00)

• Spiritual Reflection: Benny compares Charlie’s martyrdom to the biblical story of Stephen, arguing that, like Stephen, Kirk’s death will galvanize the movement.

  • “The martyrdom of Stephen was what created the Christian church...The power of that martyrdom.” —Benny Johnson (05:40)

• Byron Donalds' Tribute (56:11):

  • “Charlie’s energy is still here, inspiring. The man touched so many lives. He was irreplaceable. We honor him by standing firm in principle, on Judeo-Christian values, and keeping the fight alive.” —Rep. Byron Donalds (59:13–61:00)

• Culture War Strategy:

  • Guests and Benny continually revisit Charlie’s emphasis on cultural victories, not just political ones.
  • “Political victories come and go. Cultural victories are lasting. It is why the left is so frothing over this Jimmy Kimmel issue...We struck deep into the blackened heart of Hollywood.” —Benny Johnson (14:38)

• Personal Moments:

  • Tyler Boyer and guests recall Charlie’s humility and hands-on activism—going to tiny local meetings, knocking on doors, organizing thousands.
  • “The only way I can honor him is by doing that every single day...face to face, being with the people, like Charlie did.” —Tyler Boyer (100:18–103:16)

2. The Jimmy Kimmel/Media Controversy

• Kimmel’s Suspension: Benny details how Kimmel's late night show was suspended after he doubled down on inflammatory remarks about Kirk's assassination, refusing to apologize and instead weaponizing blame against MAGA.

  • “Jimmy Kimmel got ripped off air. Got a consequence for what he said...We proved that the king has no clothes.” —Benny Johnson (17:20)

• Colbert's Defense: Stephen Colbert criticizes Kimmel's removal as censorship, Benny and guests mockingly rebutting this as a misunderstanding of free speech and public interest.

  • “We are ALL Jimmy Kimmel. I still have a show though, right? Okay, good...If ABC thinks this’ll satisfy the regime, they are woefully naive.” —Stephen Colbert (49:10)
  • “Blatant censorship says Colbert, who is also on CBS, also under FCC...But this had nothing to do with FCC. It was Disney leadership realizing Kimmel’s show sucked.” —Benny Johnson (50:10)

• Market, Not Regulatory, Forces: Benny unpacks how it was advertiser and affiliate pressure—not just politics or FCC action—that finalized Kimmel’s ouster.

  • “Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates dropped him—calls came in, local Ford dealers didn’t even want to advertise. ABC was looking for an excuse to rid themselves of a failed, unfunny show.” —Benny Johnson (34:30, 84:02)

• Moral Standards in Public Discourse: Repeated comparisons between how the right responds to left-wing deaths and vice versa, using Kimmel’s refusal to show basic decency as a key case study.

  • “Why is it impossible for libs to just say, ‘We pray for your family’? What is that? It’s why we frame this as a spiritual war.” —Benny Johnson (13:00)

3. Media Accountability, Censorship & Public Interest

• FCC and Broadcast Licensing: Benny and guests explain the unique legal standards for broadcast networks, emphasizing that shows like Kimmel’s (as opposed to podcasts or cable) explicitly must serve the public interest.

  • “ABC broadcasts on the backs of lavish taxpayer goodies. And there are strings—you must broadcast in the public interest. What Jimmy Kimmel said was not in that interest.” —Benny Johnson (65:39)
  • “If Kimmel had a YouTube show, no grounds to stand on. But with taxpayer and FCC licenses, you can’t do this.” —Benny Johnson (28:00)

• Calls for Broader Enforcement: FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr (via Benny) suggests next steps may target shows like The View, arguing that talk shows pose as “bona fide news” to duck equal-time rules while actually trafficking in naked partisanship.

  • “I think it’s worthwhile to have the FCC look into whether The View and some of these other programs still qualify as bona fide news.” —Brendan Carr (51:53–52:19)

4. Doubling Down on Culture War Tactics

• Strategy, Not “Mean Tweets”: Benny repeatedly calls on the right to move past symbolic outrage and engage in coordinated, tactical operations—using the legal process or market pressure to bring accountability.

  • “It’s not enough to just do mean tweets. You must be tactical and strategic, not just symbolic. We built something that actually delivers consequences.” —Benny Johnson (29:10)

• Critique of Weak Republicans: Rebukes directed at the “soy latte, finger-wagging” right, who Benny sees as too timid to enforce real standards or defend their own.

  • “The weaklings of the right constantly sneer and lecture in these moments...Could you imagine if the roles were reversed? Yes, we can imagine. We’ve lived it.” —Benny Johnson (41:00)
  • “Every right winger wagging their fingers about Kimmel's removal—they’re lap dogs. They never experience what we experience because we actually move culture and fight.” —Benny Johnson (41:40)

5. Honoring Charlie Kirk: How to Continue the Mission

• Direct Activism & Grassroots: Tyler Boyer and Alex Bruesewitz emphasize the need for direct activism (knocking doors, starting Turning Point chapters, showing up face-to-face)—the “secret sauce” of the post-Kirk conservative movement.

  • “Conservative media is stronger today because of the activist core that was built by Charlie Kirk…You have to establish again, the way Christ did the church—you have to go into the people.” —Tyler Boyer (96:29)
  • “Kirk’s death made silent supporters brave…They now say, ‘I’m not going to be afraid anymore. I’m going to speak up.’” —Alex Bruesewitz (120:01)

• Social Media Legacy: Kirk created a powerful digital machine—his content, now more widely shared posthumously, continues to grow his influence and galvanize new supporters.

  • “His following has tripled posthumously—a phenomenon. People who were silent supporters are now coming forward.” —Alex Bruesewitz (119:53)
  • “You can keep his legacy alive by sharing his clips and fighting for the cultural victories he cared about.” —Alex Bruesewitz (132:56)

• Organizational Continuity: Erica Kirk’s appointment as CEO and chairman of Turning Point USA is noted as a fitting way to ensure the structure and spirit Charlie built endures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Courage & Legacy

  “You’re truly dead when people forget your name... tyrants are cut down all the time and no one remembers them. People stomp on their graves, but martyrs get more powerful in death.”
  —Benny Johnson (04:43)

• On Consequence & Moral Boundaries

  “The consequences we seek are finally a line drawn in the sand. There’s a moral basement for civil society—and you cross that line by politicizing and weaponizing and lying about Charlie Kirk’s political assassination.”
  —Benny Johnson (18:35)

• On the Left’s Double Standard

  “Why is it impossible for libs to just say, ‘We pray for your family’? It’s a spiritual war. There’s no bottom. The bottom is hell.”
  —Benny Johnson (13:00)

• On Power of Cultural Victories

  “We proved that the king has no clothes. The man behind the curtain is nothing but a senile old kook. There is no great and powerful wizard.”
  —Benny Johnson (17:44)

• Pastor McCoy’s Prayer (74:59–79:32)

  “Charlie wasn’t guilty of hate speech, they just hated his speech. A lie can never survive in the presence of truth, but the truth is never afraid of a lie. And Charlie was never afraid, Lord, because you were with him.”

Important Timestamps

• Charlie Kirk Memorial Reflections: 00:31–11:59
• Framing the Kimmel/Colbert Controversy: 12:00–35:00
• Analysis of Broadcast Standards & FCC: 41:00–54:00
• Colbert’s “Censorship” Monologue: 49:10
• Interview w/ Rep. Byron Donalds: 56:11–71:25
• Pastor McCoy’s Prayer & Blessing: 74:59–79:32
• Tyler Boyer on the Movement’s Future: 80:10–106:35
• Alex Bruesewitz on Digital Legacy: 112:52–135:54

Actionable Takeaways

• Enforce Cultural Standards: The right must actively enforce moral and societal boundaries—using all available tools, not just symbolic outrage.
• Build & Support Activist Infrastructure: Get involved locally, support or start chapters, and “do the work” as Kirk did: in person.
• Honor Kirk by Expanding Mission: Grow, strengthen, and professionalize the movement—don’t retreat or become complacent.
• Share Kirk’s Message: Use his expansive content library to spread foundational principles of faith, family, and true debate.
• Hold Media and Republicans Accountable: Don’t make excuses for indecent attacks or for Republicans who won’t fight for the movement.
• Stay Courageous & Public: Let Kirk’s example of unflinching public advocacy inspire others to break their silence despite fear or social pressure.

Conclusion

In a week marked by loss and controversy, The Benny Show transforms tragedy into a rallying cry—honoring Charlie Kirk, condemning despicable media conduct, and laying out a roadmap for lasting cultural, not just political, victory. The episode is equal parts eulogy, strategy session, and motivational address to conservatives: The battle is not just for policy, but for the very soul and tone of public discourse in America.