Podcast Summary: The Matt Walsh Show

Episode 1659 – Jimmy Kimmel Defamed Charlie Kirk And His Supporters. Now He’s Off The Air. Good Riddance.
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Matt Walsh, The Daily Wire

Overview

In this charged episode, Matt Walsh delves into the fallout of Jimmy Kimmel’s defamation of Charlie Kirk and his supporters, celebrating Kimmel’s removal from the air as a triumph for truth and accountability. Walsh broadens the discussion to critique what he sees as left-wing activism, corruption in nonprofit funding, attacks on conservative expression, and rising cultural clashes in American public life. The episode also covers government action against left-leaning organizations, moves to censure Ilhan Omar, and cultural battles in cities like Dearborn, MI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Defamation and Removal

• Event Recap: Jimmy Kimmel, in his monologue, asserted that Charlie Kirk’s killer was a pro-Trump Republican, a claim Walsh calls a "lie" without evidence.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [13:14]:
    "Kimmel knew that it wasn't true that Kirk's assassin was a Trump supporter. He knew that it made no sense to suggest that… But he lied anyway, like the disgusting scumbag that he is."
• Removal from ABC/Affiliates:
  Kimmel was taken off the air, following a public backlash, potential FCC scrutiny, and pressure from advertisers and network affiliates. Walsh asserts that the conservative outcry—rather than government action—was crucial.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [14:57]:
    "Any event, the upshot is that at least for now, Kimmel won’t be able to lie to his 15 viewers anymore or implicitly encourage them to commit political assassinations."
• Legal and Regulatory Framing:
  Walsh highlights federal broadcast license requirements for public interest and accuracy, suggesting Kimmel and ABC breached them by airing false, harmful political content.

2. Mainstream Media and First Amendment Debate

• Brian Stelter’s Defense:
  Stelter argues Kimmel was merely reflecting public speculation, not making unequivocal accusations. Walsh refutes this, calling it another "lie."
  • Quote – Brian Stelter [15:35]:
    "Kimmel suggested that the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk might have been a pro-Trump Republican."
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [16:28]:
    "Kimmel didn't suggest anything. He said it. He flat out said that the shooter was a MAGA Republican."
• Van Jones' Position:
  Jones decries the incident as government overreach and a First Amendment violation.
  • Quote – Van Jones [17:28]:
    "If you want to pull these licenses, then we're going to go to court... This is a red line that have been crossed for our industry."
• Walsh’s Counterargument:
  He distinguishes between private cable (e.g., CNN) and public broadcast networks with special obligations, emphasizing that the right to use public airwaves is a privilege, not an absolute right.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [18:27]:
    "Jimmy Kimmel and ABC affiliates do not have a constitutional right to use the public airwaves to disseminate malicious propaganda."

3. Left-Wing Nonprofits and Alleged Criminal Activity

• NGOs Funding Extremism Claims:
  Walsh presents claims from a Capital Research Center report by Ryan Morrow, alleging that George Soros’s Open Society Foundation has funneled millions into U.S. groups accused of domestic terrorism, property destruction, and violence.
  • Quote – Walsh reading report [05:00]:
    "Since 2016, George Soros's Open Society Foundation ... has poured over $80 million into groups tied to terrorism or extremist violence."
• Citing Specific Groups:
  He targets the Ruckus Society, the Sunrise Movement, and the Movement for Black Lives as beneficiaries engaging in or promoting illegal activities.
• Call for Action:
  Urges using RICO laws and stripping nonprofits of federal status if they support or enable criminal action.

4. Conservative Strategy Shift: Using State Power

• A Change in Tactics:
  Walsh advocates for conservatives to actively pursue consequences for political opponents who break laws, moving away from traditional reluctance to wield government power.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [19:58]:
    "Now the attitude is, well, yeah, we'll take their license away. Why shouldn't we? You violated the rules, we're going to hold you to it."

5. Unity on the Right & “Friends vs. Enemies”

• Plea for Conservative Unity:
  Despite past criticisms, Walsh calls on conservatives to set aside differences to face what he sees as existential threats from the left.
• Criticism Over 'Nazi Language':
  Walsh addresses accusations from some conservatives that his rhetoric of “friends and enemies” is echoing Nazi ideology, mocking this argument.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [28:55]:
    "People that I know for a fact would celebrate my death, they are my enemies. If that doesn't make you my enemy, then the word enemy doesn't mean anything."

6. Ilhan Omar, Nancy Mace, and Censure

• Nancy Mace’s Motion to Censure:
  Highlights Mace’s move to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar for amplifying claims calling Kirk a terrorist after his murder.
  • Quote – Nancy Mace [32:29]:
    "She is inciting violence against conservatives in the wake of Charlie Kirk's political assassination... You can take your Sharia loving anti American self back to Somalia."
• Walsh’s Applause:
  Endorses Mace’s stance and calls for stricter consequences for Omar, including denaturalization and deportation.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [34:57]:
    "She should be denaturalized and kicked out of the country."

7. Cultural Clashes: Dearborn Example

• Dearborn Mayor Incident:
  Walsh criticizes Mayor Abdullah Hammoud for telling a Christian resident he was not welcome for objecting to honoring an Arab nationalist figure with street names.
  • Quote – Mayor Abdullah Hammoud [Approx. 36:15]:
    "Although you live here, you are not welcome here. The day you move out, I will launch a parade celebrating."
  • Walsh retorts by asserting that assimilation has failed and claims the situation reflects a broader “hostile takeover.”
    • Quote – Matt Walsh [37:27]:
      "Once we ship all the foreign subverters out of this country... I too, will throw a parade."

8. Celebrating Conservative Heroes: The Charlie Kirk Statue

• Statue Announcement:
  New College of Florida will erect a statue of Charlie Kirk to honor his “legacy and incredible work.”
• Walsh’s Warning on Vandalism:
  Urges harsh penalties for anyone who vandalizes the statue, drawing parenting analogies to breaking bad habits.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [41:57]:
    "You spray paint a statue, your life is ruined. Sorry. And now you’re an example for the next person who comes along..."

9. Contrast in Cultural Heroes

• Charlie Kirk vs. George Floyd:
  Walsh argues that conservatives honor heroes for positive achievements, while the left erects “martyrs” with deeply troubled pasts.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [45:51]:
    "George Floyd is not a hero. He never did anything heroic... We have to celebrate our heroes, celebrate our traditions, and I think this is a good place to start."

10. Closing Reflection: Worth of Truth and the Cost of Speaking Out

• Personal Note on the Price of Truth:
  Walsh reflects on whether Kirk might have found his sacrifices “worth it,” concluding that truth is worth any price, including life.
  • Quote – Matt Walsh [52:26]:
    "Charlie died because he stood for the truth... The truth is worth our lives. It’s worth our blood... The truth always wins in the end."
  • Spiritual Capstone:
    “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. Jesus Christ is the truth. The truth is eternal. There’s nothing more important than it.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "He was never performing any kind of comedy routine. He was simply delivering propaganda on behalf of the Democrat Party every single night."
  – Matt Walsh [13:43]

• "You violated the rules, we’re going to hold you to it. What argument do you have besides crying about it? Go ahead and cry, we don’t care. In fact, we revel in your tears."
  – Matt Walsh [19:58]

• "It’s easy for me to see. People that I know for a fact would celebrate my death, they are my enemies. If that doesn’t make you my enemy, then the word enemy doesn’t mean anything."
  – Matt Walsh [28:55]

• "She’s inciting violence against conservatives in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s political assassination… You can take your Sharia loving anti American self back to Somalia."
  – Nancy Mace [32:29]

• "Charlie died because he stood for the truth. Let’s make no mistake about that… The truth is worth our lives. It’s worth our blood."
  – Matt Walsh [52:26]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment | |-------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Overview, Kimmel’s Defamation, Leftist Reaction to Kirk’s Murder | | 04:20 | Breakdown of NGO Funding Allegations and Soros-backed Groups | | 13:00 | The Kimmel Controversy, Broadcast Licenses, and the Power of Boycotts | | 15:35 | Brian Stelter and Van Jones Defending Kimmel, Constitutional Arguments | | 18:27 | Walsh on Using State Power and Conservative Shift in Tactics | | 27:30 | Conservative Unity and ‘Friends vs. Enemies’ Rhetoric | | 32:29 | Nancy Mace Moving to Censure Ilhan Omar | | 36:15 | Dearborn City Council Debate and Walsh’s Assimilation Arguments | | 41:15 | Statue of Charlie Kirk, Cultural Memory, and Vandalism Response | | 45:51 | The Importance of Celebrating Conservative Heroes vs. Leftist Martyrdom | | 52:26 | Closing Thought: The Value and Cost of Truth |

Overall Tone and Language

• Tone: Fiercely combative, deeply partisan, moralistic, unapologetically culture war-focused.
• Language: Direct, often inflammatory, mixing satire and derision with calls for unity and resistance.

Conclusion

This episode captures Matt Walsh at his most polemical: celebrating Jimmy Kimmel’s “downfall,” calling for the punitive use of state power against cultural and political opponents, and urging conservatives to unite in the face of what he presents as existential threats. Walsh closes with a personal, spiritual meditation on the importance of truth—even at the highest cost. For listeners seeking an unvarnished sense of the current right-wing mood and rhetorical strategies, this episode delivers a concentrated dose.