Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised a viral satirical thread about Stephen Colbert and the decline of liberal comedy on Saturday. He used the post to criticize Jimmy Kimmel as the era of 'The Late Show' concludes. Kennedy described the post as a thorough analysis of Kimmel's backlash from conservatives regarding his comments about being a comedian. He quoted the post, stating, 'Superb dissection of the shocking collapse of liberal comedy,' and noted that Kimmel was hired as a comedian but has shifted roles.
The satirical piece, authored by Peter Girnus, critiques Colbert's transition from his Comedy Central persona to his late-night character. Girnus argued that the shift led to a more serious and less humorous approach, stating, 'Correct is not funny.' Following Kennedy's comments, Girnus emphasized that the issue extends beyond individual hosts, pointing to a culture that penalizes jokes outside of liberal norms.
This discussion follows Kimmel's defense of his political commentary on the podcast 'IMO,' hosted by Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, where he expressed frustration with critics who suggest his role is solely to entertain. Kimmel stated, 'Don’t tell me what my job is,' asserting that he defines his own role.
Girnus further argued that late-night comedy has become a platform for liberal credentials rather than genuine entertainment, claiming, 'An echo chamber cannot produce comedy.' CBS announced in July 2025 that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would conclude in May 2026, citing financial reasons for the decision.
