Robert De Niro makes surprise appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback show as they lampoon FCC over free speech

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Robert De Niro unexpectedly showed up on Jimmy Kimmel’s show Tuesday night, marking Kimmel’s return after a break from hosting.

82-year-old Oscar winner appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night, playfully taking on the role of the new head of the Federal Communications Commission in a funny sketch.

Two comedians criticized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding free speech, following the removal of Jimmy Kimmel from the air after he made controversial remarks about the potential assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

De Niro channeled the tough, intimidating mob boss characters he’s often portrayed on screen, and at one point, bluntly asked Kimmel, “What did you just say to me?”

The segment began with Jimmy Kimmel saying he thought he’d be interviewing the actual FCC chairman, Brendan Carr.

“Were you appointed FCC chairman by Donald Trump?” the interviewer asked. De Niro responded, “Yes, by Mr. Trump. I occasionally did some work for people in Atlantic City.”

‘But did I just hear you on the phone threatening Whoopi Goldberg?’ Kimmel asked.

“I didn’t threaten Ms. Goldstein,” De Niro said. “I was simply showing her that actions have consequences.”

Kimmel then suggested that the FCC is using ‘mob tactics to suppress free speech.’ 

‘What the f**k did you just say to me?’ the actor asked. 

Jimmy Kimmel reminded Robert De Niro that swearing on live TV could result in a fine from the Federal Communications Commission. De Niro jokingly responded by saying, ‘I *am* the FCC, so I can say whatever I please.’

‘It sounds a little like threat and intimidation to me, Chairman,’ Kimmel said. 

De Niro responded with a pointed, but censored, request for silence, saying, ‘It’s just me, Jimmy, the chairman of the FCC, suggesting you be quiet.’

De Niro later said the new motto for the FCC is ‘Sticks and stones may break your bones.’

‘And… well, the rest of that is “But words can never harm you,”‘ Kimmel said.

De Niro cautioned, “They could cause you trouble right now, so be careful what you say. Understand?”

Jimmy Kimmel struggled to hold back tears while addressing his remarks about Charlie Kirk during his return to ABC after being temporarily taken off the air for those comments regarding the founder of Turning Point USA.

He said, visibly upset and fighting back tears, that he never meant to downplay the seriousness of the young man’s murder and that he found nothing humorous about it.

He referenced his post to Instagram sending love to Kirk’s family and said he still does.

He then tried to explain what he said about Kirk but did not directly apologize.

He thanked his fellow talk show hosts, fans and even conservatives who defended him.

Jimmy Kimmel welcomed back his first guests since his absence: actor Glenn Powell, who expressed his happiness and honor to be there, and singer Sarah McLachlan.

At the end of the show, he joked: ‘I think we’ll be back tomorrow night, see you then.’

About a third of ABC’s local stations, specifically those owned by Sinclair and Nexstar, will not be broadcasting the show.

The host had previously stated that supporters of Donald Trump, often referred to as ‘the MAGA gang,’ were trying to distance the suspect in Kirk’s murder from their group.

Disney, the company that owns ABC, has paused the show to prevent making an already difficult and sensitive time even more upsetting for viewers.

After discussing things carefully with Jimmy, the company said Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be back on the air Tuesday.

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2025-09-24 08:19