David Letterman Explains Why He's 'Grateful' to Be Done With Late Night Comedy: 'I'm So Glad to Be Out From Under This Mess' Richard ChachowskiDecember 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM 0 Getty Images Ten years after his official retirement from late night television, comedy icon David Letterman is weighing in on the current state of late night TV. Appearing on a recent episode ofJimmy Kimmel Live!, the 76yearold Letterman discussed the ongoing challenges late night talk shows face amidst the Trump Administration, most especially as the president continues escalating his feud with late night comics.
- - David Letterman Explains Why He's 'Grateful' to Be Done With Late Night Comedy: 'I'm So Glad to Be Out From Under This Mess'
Richard ChachowskiDecember 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
0
Getty Images
Ten years after his official retirement from late night television, comedy icon David Letterman is weighing in on the current state of late night TV.
Appearing on a recent episode ofJimmy Kimmel Live!, the 76-year-old Letterman discussed the ongoing challenges late night talk shows face amidst the Trump Administration, most especially as the president continues escalating his feud with late night comics.
In his conversation with Kimmel, Letterman defended a comedian's right to mock anyone they choose, with Trump being such a specifically easy target for comics due to his being a "fool," in Letterman's eyes.
"Speaking of leaders, let me just say one thing here," the former Late Show host said. "Irrespective of party or political ideology — if the leader of the free world is a fool, the leader of the free world, then, should expect and examine every bit of ridicule he receives."
As complimentary as Letterman was in his view of current late night comedians like Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers, he also admitted he was "grateful" to no longer be on the air with Trump's regular attacks on the longtime TV programs.
"No, I'm so glad to be out from under this mess, because people like you and people like Stephen [Colbert] and people like Seth [Meyers] do such a masterful job of this, defending democracy," Letterman said.
"Thank God for you, thank God for others, SNL and everybody else. It's just, I think it's the way things need to be, in a democracy that's seemingly this crippled," the 76-year-old continued.
Elsewhere in the episode, Letterman also complimented Kimmel for extending his deal with ABC. The news comes some months after the viral controversy the network was engulfed in when it choose to temporarily suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Kimmel's statements on Charlie Kirk's assassination.
The move earned ABC and its parent company Disney significant backlash, ultimately leading the network to reverse its decision and reinstate Kimmel to late night TV.
"Another year is twisting those folks at Disney," Letterman congratulated Kimmel. "Good for you!"
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 11, 2025 at 08:45AM on Source: MARIO MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle