Podcast Summary: The Five – "Kimmel Suspended"

FOX News Podcasts | September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Five centers on Jimmy Kimmel's high-profile suspension from ABC following his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk's murder and the ensuing political and media fallout. The panel also tackles broader themes of free speech, media standards, political accountability, and the impact of youth movements. Additional segments include analysis of Antifa being labeled a terrorist group, discussion on Kamala Harris’s vice presidential selection process, and generational/political divides impacting youth engagement.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: Free Speech or Accountability?

• [01:04–09:19]
  • President Trump rails against Kimmel: "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings...And he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. ...He was fired for lack of talent." (01:04)
  • Emily Compagno recaps the controversy: Kimmel tried to blame Kirk’s killer on MAGA despite evidence indicating a leftwing ideology. ABC suspended Kimmel after major affiliates rebelled, citing community standards.
  • Greg Gutfeld offers a nuanced view: It’s less about free speech, more about marketplace accountability and standards for network TV. He blasts the "media's attempt to make Kimmel into their Charlie Kirk," calling it "disgusting" (03:16), and reviews a history of tech/media suspensions across the political spectrum.
  • Jesse Waters and Emily underline falling ratings and viewership as practical reasons for Kimmel's removal, observing it's not just a censorship issue.
  • Rosanna Scotto and Greg highlight industry standards: "What Jimmy Kimmel said on the air was false. ...there are rules and regulations. ...there are boundaries." (15:07)
  • Harold Ford Jr. expresses concern about governmental overreach, noting, "I can't believe we're going to allow the government to tell us what's funny, what's not, and what's permissible." (11:58) He draws parallels with international autocracies when referencing calls for license revocation.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Gutfeld: "You can't turn Kimmel into Kirk. That is disgusting and I'm going to control myself." (03:16)
• Jesse Waters: "If he was actually involved in telling the truth, then maybe they would have cut him some slack. But the reality is that his show sucked. No one watched it." (06:31)
• Harold Ford Jr.: "I'm a little alarmed today because I can't believe we're going to allow the government to tell us what's funny, what's not and what's permissible." (11:50)

2. ABC, Marketplace, and Affiliates’ Power

• [01:52–06:12]
  • ABC suspended Kimmel following pressure from major affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair, who cited misrepresentation of community values.
  • The discussion highlights that network hosts are held liable for what’s said on-air, per legal precedent.
• Emily: "A business and a market, who, frankly, made the right decision." (08:53)

Notable Quotes

• Greg Gutfeld: "It's not about censorship. It's about standards. The country is red hot. Charlie's body isn't even buried yet. ...That's a flat out lie." (06:47)

3. The Role of the FCC, Political Pressure, and Free Speech

• [09:19–14:31]
  • Panel discusses President Trump’s hints at FCC action, drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes.
  • Debate around whether regulation should focus on broadcast licenses or the online/social media space instead.
  • Nuanced recognition that private companies can legitimately suspend talent, but government involvement sets concerning precedent.

Notable Quotes

• Harold Ford Jr.: "So some of this humor I don't like and I don't laugh at...But I’m just not convinced that the state should be deciding free press." (11:50)

4. Antifa: Domestic Terrorism Designation & Challenges

• [17:52–24:38]
  • President Trump: "It's a terrorist organization, in my opinion, and we're going to find out. All those questions are going to be answered." (18:21)
  • Panel explores the complexities of designating domestic groups as terrorist organizations versus existing legal frameworks for foreign groups.
  • Greg lists accusations against Antifa ("They shot and killed someone...bomb cop cars...they want to overthrow the federal government.") (20:50)
  • Emily stresses Congressional action is needed for legal teeth, noting, "Because free speech is so protected, all of these guys are going to say, no, that was just me protesting." (22:30)
  • Rosanna and Harold call out the lack of investigative journalism on the subject ("Only one guy, Andy Ngo..." — 24:09).

Notable Quotes

• Emily Compagno: "The real challenge here is actually the fact that we don't quite have the legal framework for designating domestic terror organizations as we do foreign. ...So, unfortunately for this, because free speech is so protected, all these guys are going to say, that was just me protesting my government." (22:30)

5. Kamala Harris, Identity Politics & Veepstakes

• [25:22–30:56]
  • Greg reads from Kamala Harris’s book about her initial preference for Pete Buttigieg as VP, but refrained, citing the risk of a "black woman" running with a "gay man."
  • Panel sharply criticizes using identity as a shield for political decisions:
    • Greg: "Who cares what he sleeps with?" (27:06)
    • Emily: "The risk was not a gay man with a black woman. ...it was a neophyte ideologue and then sheer incompetence. ...the issue wasn't skin color or gender or sexual preference." (27:17)
    • Rosanna: "She missed the point. Migration, people saw it in their neighborhoods. ...They knew inflation had taken over their lives and they couldn't afford the basics anymore." (29:56)
    • Panel concludes America is more concerned about policy and performance than identity checkboxes.

6. Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and the Democratic Response

• [31:37–37:22]
  • Trump praises Kirk’s outreach to youth: "He just wanted to take care of youth. ...I've never seen anybody relate to youth like Charlie, and they related to him." (31:37)
  • LA Times notes Newsom seeking to emulate Kirk's movement among young men. Panelists are skeptical.
  • Greg: "They declared a war on police, a war on energy, and they called men toxic...So to now come around and say, I wonder what's wrong with young men." (32:15)
  • Emily: "Charlie's empowerment...came from biblical values...And now [Newsom's] deigning to think that he can step in as a parent. ...what the world needs is not one Gavin Newsom. It is a million Charlie Kirks empowered in these young men themselves." (35:22)

Other Segments & Memorable Moments

• [38:24–40:46] — "Women who hate men might be the most desirable chicks to date"
  Playful discussion: Emily admits, "Yes, it's so true, everybody. Yes, because you hate men." (38:24), while Greg and the others banter on gender dynamics, mock-dating strategies, and Harold cracks jokes.

• [41:31–42:41] — One More Thing: Panel celebrates National Cheeseburger Day; Jesse Waters pays tribute to fallen police officers; Emily shares a viral story about a man borrowing a Barbie cart, leading to his arrest.

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:04–09:19]: Kimmel’s suspension, Trump and the panel's reactions
• [09:19–14:31]: Marketplace accountability, FCC, and broadcast regulation debate
• [17:52–24:38]: Antifa debate: designation, legal challenges, and left-right perceptions
• [25:22–30:56]: Kamala Harris’s VP pick reflections, critique of identity politics
• [31:37–37:22]: Charlie Kirk’s youth impact, Newsom's response, generational issues
• [38:24–40:46]: Lighthearted gender/dating segment
• [41:31–42:41]: Quick round of panelist “one more things” and tributes

Notable Panel Quotes by Timestamp

• Greg Gutfeld (03:16):
  "You can't turn Kimmel into Kirk. That is disgusting and I'm going to control myself."
• Greg Gutfeld (06:47):
  "It's not about censorship. It's about standards. ...That's a flat out lie. It's disrespectful, it's crass, and it puts a target on our back."
• Jesse Waters (06:31):
  "If he was actually involved in telling the truth, then maybe they would have cut him some slack. But the reality is that his show sucked. No one watched it."
• Harold Ford Jr. (11:50):
  "I can't believe we're going to allow the government to tell us what's funny, what's not and what's permissible."
• Emily Compagno (22:30):
  "The real challenge here is actually the fact that we don't quite have the legal framework for designating domestic terror organizations as we do foreign...because free speech is so protected, all these guys are going to say, no, that was just me protesting my government."
• Greg Gutfeld (27:06):
  "She went with a straight white man. ...Who cares what he sleeps with?"
• Emily Compagno (35:22):
  "What the world needs is not one Gavin Newsom. It is a million Charlie Kirks empowered in these young men themselves."

Tone and Dynamics

• The panel is combative, highly opinionated, and sharply critical of mainstream media and Democratic positions, but injects humor and camaraderie with occasional light-hearted and sarcastic exchanges.
• Persistent skepticism is shown toward establishment narratives, and the group remains unapologetically partisan while grappling with issues of free speech, accountability, and policy impact.

This summary distills the major debates and notable moments, offering context and highlights from across the episode for listeners seeking a comprehensive overview.