Jimmy Kimmel’s Tesla Jokes Ignite Conservative Outrage, Sparking Debate Over Political Bias and Incitement
Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," is facing a wave of criticism after making jokes about recent vandalism and attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships. The controversy has reignited long-standing accusations of political bias against ABC and its parent company, Disney, with conservative figures accusing Kimmel of condoning violence and advocating for "Antifa-style" behavior.
The controversy began after Kimmel’s monologue on Tuesday night, where he poked fun at Tesla CEO Elon Musk over the company’s declining stock value. Kimmel then made a remark about the vandalism of Tesla vehicles, saying, "People have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles. Please don’t vandalize— don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles," before pausing for comedic effect and smiling.
Musk responded to Kimmel’s comments on X, calling him an "unfunny jerk." The feud escalated on Wednesday night when Kimmel followed up on his previous remarks, saying, "I mentioned last night multiple Teslas were burned at a Tesla facility in Las Vegas. Authorities are now investigating which Teslas were set on fire — and which set themselves on fire." He then added, "And while no one should be setting anything on fire, ever, people are mad at Elon Musk for randomly and gleefully putting thousands of Americans out of work, including veterans."
Kimmel then took a jab at the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, saying, "But the MAGA gang – which has been very against any kind of violent protest since January 7, was it? 2021? That’s when they started being against it, they are highly upset."
Kimmel’s jokes have sparked outrage among conservative commentators and politicians, who accuse him of downplaying violence and even inciting criminal behavior. Critics point to ABC’s perceived liberal bias and its past controversies involving Donald Trump as evidence of a broader political agenda within the network.
Sean Hannity of Fox News slammed Kimmel as an "unhinged loser" and questioned Disney CEO Bob Iger’s stance on the issue. "Bob, are you OK with this seeming glorification of violence? Is this the inclusive woke, DEI, the ABC Disney brand?" Hannity asked. "You’re the CEO of Disney. Are you proud of this?"
Senator Mike Lee of Utah echoed Hannity’s concerns, asking, "Does ABC approve of Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air incitement of criminal behavior? Will ABC take any action or make any statement in response to it? If not, why not?"
CNN commentator Scott Jennings argued that Kimmel’s remarks sent a chilling message to conservatives. "The message from the American Left to conservatives is unmistakable: silence yourselves, or we will do it for you. This isn’t comedy – these are marching orders," Jennings said.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha went even further, accusing ABC and Disney of allowing Kimmel to "advocate firebombings and shootings at Tesla dealerships." He added, "It’s the Antifa era in late night."
Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the controversy, dismissing Kimmel’s show as "unfunny and boring and left-wing" and suggesting that its audience is not representative of the American population. "If you go to a ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ viewing, you have to really be a humorless scold. So I hope that’s isolated to a very small number of people," Vance said.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s Tesla jokes highlights the increasingly polarized media landscape and the challenges of navigating political satire in a highly sensitive environment. Critics argue that Kimmel’s remarks crossed a line by making light of violence and potentially encouraging further attacks on Tesla property. Supporters of Kimmel, on the other hand, argue that his jokes are protected by free speech and should not be taken as a literal endorsement of violence. They also point to the context of Kimmel’s remarks, which were intended as satire and criticism of Elon Musk’s business practices.
The debate over Kimmel’s jokes also raises broader questions about the role of late-night comedy in political discourse. Late-night hosts have long used humor to address political issues and hold public figures accountable. However, the increasing polarization of the media landscape has made it more difficult for comedians to navigate these issues without alienating large segments of the population.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s Tesla jokes is unlikely to die down anytime soon. The incident has reignited a broader debate about political bias in the media, the limits of free speech, and the role of comedy in political discourse. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved. ABC has not yet responded to requests for comment.
