Aug 10, 2025 minute read

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged that some liberal voices are “repulsive” and drive people away from the Democratic Party, prompting criticism that he has been guilty of the same behavior he condemned.

Appearing Thursday on the “Sarah Silverman Podcast,” Kimmel and Silverman discussed cancel culture on the left that has persisted after President Donald Trump regained office. Silverman brought up podcaster Joe Rogan, who faced backlash after endorsing Trump in the 2024 election, calling it “ironic” that the party of “inclusivity” could be “incredibly elitist.”

Kimmel, a longtime Democratic supporter, defended the party but agreed that some progressive voices alienate people. 

“Yes. But it’s not- it’s not the party. It’s not the majority. It’s the loud voices that scare people from saying what they believe and make you think twice about a joke or whatever,” he said.

“You know, a lot of their points are valid, but a lot of them are also just repulsive, in that they repel people,” Kimmel added. “They go like, ‘Oh, you’re no fun. I don’t want to be around you.’ And I think that if you had to boil it down to one thing, that’s kind of what it is.”

In April, Kimmel criticized liberals for “viciously attacking comedians,” arguing that this behavior contributed to Trump’s re-election

“I think a lot of the outrage is completely manufactured, and it’s like, a lot of these people who are angry aren’t really angry. I think these liberals who’ve done such a good job of viciously attacking comedians are a big part of the reason why Trump is the president right now,” he said.

Following his latest comments, critics on social media pointed to Kimmel’s own controversial statements that could repel voters from turning to the left. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kimmel suggested on his show that unvaccinated patients should be denied hospital treatment in favor of vaccinated patients. 

“Vaccinated people having a heart attack? Yes, come right on it. Unvaccinated guy who gobbled horse goo? Rest in peace, weezy,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

In 2021, Kimmel also addressed then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s low approval ratings by attributing them to “sexism and racism” among the American public.

Late-night colleague of Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, revealed recently that his program has been canceled and will come to an end next May. Following the announcement, Trump speculated that Kimmel could be “next” among late-night hosts to have his show canceled.