The Michael Knowles Show

Episode 1820 – "Jimmy Kimmel Returns After More Left-Wing Terrorism"

Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Main Guests: Elizabeth Pleckner (Chairman, TPUSA, University of Minnesota Chapter)

Overview

This episode focuses on the return of Jimmy Kimmel to air after his suspension and reinstatement amidst controversy over comments related to left-wing terrorism and the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Michael Knowles analyzes the media coverage, political violence in America, and the implications for free speech, law enforcement standards, and patriotism. He also discusses recent reactions from left-leaning politicians and features an interview with a prominent conservative student leader in the wake of threats against campus activism.

Main Themes & Purpose

• The politicization of media responses to violence and speech
• Analysis of left-wing terrorism and government responses
• Media, government, and corporate responses to ideological pressure
• The role of patriotism and the American flag in political rhetoric
• Campus activism in the face of violence and intimidation

Detailed Summary & Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension, Reinstatement, and Media Narrative

• [00:00–08:54]
  • Kimmel suspended: ABC & Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel for remarks Knowles calls “an egregious and malicious lie about left-wing terrorism” surrounding the killing of Charlie Kirk.
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 04:25):
    “The problem with what Jimmy Kimmel said is that he told an egregious and malicious lie about left wing terrorism that assassinated the the most prominent, civil, generous, peaceful debater on the American right.”
  • Kimmel's Quote (via Knowles):
    Kimmel had claimed: “The MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them…” [05:10]
  • Returned under pressure: After a shooting at an ABC affiliate by someone reportedly influenced by Kimmel’s suspension, the network reversed its decision. Knowles argues this is an example of political violence coercing outcomes.
  • Knowles’s Analysis:
    • The left gets what it wants through political violence—BLM, LGBT, and trans activists cited as examples.
    • Government needs to address left-wing terrorism as an urgent concern.

2. Government Response to Left-Wing Terrorism

• [08:54–10:06]
  • White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt: Outlines multiple recent attacks attributed to Antifa, including attacks on ICE facilities, politicians, and pro-life institutions.
  • Quote (Leavitt, 09:02):
    “In July 2025, several members of an Antifa cell ambushed and opened fire on officers at an ICE facility in Texas… in February 2024, a transgender Antifa terrorist detonated an explosive device outside the office of the Republican Attorney General of Alabama.”
  • Knowles’s View: Biden/Trump administration (implied Trump) plans executive action designating Antifa as a domestic terror group.
  • “We need to restore some health to the public square... exclude certain ideas and antisocial behaviors... such as direct threats, such as political violence...” [10:57]

3. Media and Public Square: Free Speech and the Role of Order

• [10:06–15:56]
  • Debunks FCC conspiracy: The left’s claim that ABC was “fascistically threatened” by FCC is false, Knowles argues, as they reinstated Kimmel quickly.
  • Importance of reasserting order:
    “You can't go from our current situation of constant left wing terrorism back to the free, robust marketplace of ideas immediately. There has to be an intermediary step, and the intermediary step is the reassertion of order.” [12:45]

4. Patriotism, Flags, and Identity Politics (with focus on Rep. Jasmine Crockett)

• [15:56–27:28]
  • Jasmine Crockett (D) Statement (15:56): “You can wave all the flags you want to, but I am telling you right now that the most unpatriotic people that we have in this country are MAGA and this president. We are the real patriots and it is time for us to take our flag back…”
  • Knowles’s Reaction: Democratic efforts to reclaim patriotism are undermined by a lack of visible support for the American flag and country at left-wing rallies; views this as a sign of “oikophobia” (fear of home, per philosopher Roger Scruton).
  • Analysis of liberal estrangement:
    Quote (Knowles, 21:30):
    “Oikophobia and liberalism go hand in hand. I often observe that liberalism basically boils down to ‘screw you, dad’... a shame for tradition, for inherited circumstances...”
  • Thomas Chatterton Williams tweet: Atlantic writer expresses alienation from “aesthetics and sensibilities” of conservative memorial; Knowles sees this as emblematic of liberal culture.

5. ICE, Policing, and Historical Analogies

• [27:28–29:44]
  • Jasmine Crockett compares ICE to “slave patrols” (27:28): “As somebody who understands history, when I see [ICE] I see slave patrols.”
  • Knowles’s Counter:
    Highlights false equivalence, arguing slavery patrols stopped people from leaving while ICE prevents unlawful entry—“literally the opposite.”

6. Gender Standards in Law Enforcement: Senator Mazie Hirono vs. FBI Director

• [29:44–36:21]
  • Sen. Mazie Hirono questions FBI’s physical pull-up requirement.
  • Quote (Hirono, 30:47):
    “Are you requiring these kinds of harsh pull ups?”
  • FBI response:
    All officers must meet the standard; “If you want to chase down a bad guy and put him in handcuffs, you better be able to do a pull up.” [30:36]
  • Knowles’s Take:
    Satirizes leftist contradiction: Gender equality vs. special standards; predicts continued lowering of standards, “Harrison Bergeron”-style forced mediocrity. “In this case, you would have federal law enforcement made up of people who cannot possibly enforce the law, who, like, physically cannot enforce the law, people who can't do a single pull up.” [31:46]

7. Kamala Harris & Identity Politics

• [36:21–42:42]
  • Discussion of Kamala Harris’s comments on not picking Pete Buttigieg for running mate [36:19]:
    • “No, no, no, that’s not what I said… my point…was that I was clear that… with the stakes being so high, it made me very sad. But I also realized it would be a real risk.”
  • Knowles Mocks Harris:
    • On book tour, struggles to defend her own writing—even on friendly MSNBC.
    • Critiques the “prisoners to their own [Democratic] ideology” in personnel choices.

8. French First Lady Controversy (Briefly)

• [42:42–43:00]
  • Knowles comments on the Macron–Owens case, with humor and appeals for decorum:
    • “Please drop it before I have to look at those photographs...”

9. Campus Activism After the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Interview: Elizabeth Pleckner, TPUSA at Univ. of Minnesota

• [45:42–50:33]
  • Student courage and turnout: Overwhelming attendance (~4,000 people) at American Comeback Tour’s Minneapolis stop, despite credible threats.
  • Quote (Elizabeth Pleckner, 46:52):
    “We just appreciate having a conservative voice on campus, since there hasn’t been one in several years. And it was an honor to host the first tour stop since his passing.”
  • Security and resolve: Students felt safe, were not deterred—referencing Erica Kirk’s speech:
    “When conservatives get pushed down, we come back stronger, more confident. When, you know, you’re in the right, it’s easy to sort of be set and stubborn, and we’re going to do this, and nothing was going to stop us.” [49:00]
  • Knowles’s Closing Remark: Praises the courage and clarity of conservative students in the face of threats and violence.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Michael Knowles, on media lies [05:10]:
  “That comment was not just insensitive, that comment was not just poorly timed, it was a lie.”
• Caroline Levitt, White House [09:02]:
  “In July 2025, several members of an Antifa cell ambushed and opened fire on officers at an ICE facility in Texas… in February 2024, a transgender Antifa terrorist detonated an explosive device....”
• Jasmine Crockett [15:56]:
  “The most unpatriotic people we have in this country are MAGA and this president. We are the real patriots and it’s time for us to take our flag back...”
• Michael Knowles on liberal alienation [21:30]:
  “Oikophobia and liberalism go hand in hand... a contempt for home, a desire to leave home as quickly as possible...”
• Mazie Hirono [30:47]:
  “The reason I ask is that there are concerns about whether or not being able to do these kinds of harsh pull ups is really required of FBI agents.”
• Elizabeth Pleckner, on student resolve [49:00]:
  “When conservatives get pushed down, we come back stronger, more confident… nothing was going to stop us.”

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Cynical humor: Knowles’s mocking of identity politics and law enforcement standards (31:03, 37:21).
• Intellectual references: Use of “oikophobia” (21:30) and “Harrison Bergeron” (32:20).
• Student interview: Uplifting and earnest; highlights courage under fire (46:52, 49:00).
• Sharp critique: Knowles consistently criticizes left-wing and establishment narratives.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jimmy Kimmel controversy: 00:00–08:54
• White House/Antifa as terrorism: 08:54–10:06
• Order, public square, media narrative: 10:06–15:56
• Jasmine Crockett & patriotism: 15:56–27:28
• ICE and “slave patrols” analogy: 27:28–29:44
• Law enforcement standards debate: 29:44–36:21
• Kamala Harris and identity politics: 36:21–42:42
• French First Lady controversy: 42:42–43:00
• Campus activism interview: 45:42–50:33

Conclusion

This episode offers a highly critical assessment of media, political, and cultural narratives around violence, patriotism, and order in America, particularly in the context of left-wing activism and threats against conservative figures. It concludes with a celebration of campus conservatism and resilience in the face of genuine persecution and risk.

For a deeper dive and student perspectives on activism in turmoil, listen from [45:42] onward for the featured interview with Elizabeth Pleckner.