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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Show Over Charlie Kirk Remarks; United Kingdom Rolls Out Red Carpet For Trump. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired September 18, 2025 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:00:26]

BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world. Thank you for being with us. I'm Brian Abel. Rahel Solomon is off.

It is Thursday, September 18th, 5:00 a.m. here in Washington, D.C.

And straight ahead on EARLY START.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNNH HOST: ABC, the network, pulling Jimmy Kimmel from the air.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: America is a less free place if late night comedians cannot do and say what they want.

KING CHARLES III, UNITED KINGDOM: In so many other ways, we are now the closest of kin.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Crowds of anti-Trump protesters, furious at this unprecedented honor for a president even less appreciated outside the States.

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): Did you tell the attorney general that Donald Trump's name is in the Epstein files? Yes or no?

KASH PATEL, FBI DIRECTOR: Why don't you try spelling it out?

SWALWELL: Yes or no? Director --

PATEL: Read the alphabet.

SWALWELL: Yes or no?

PATEL: No. ABCDEF --

SWALWELL: Director, did --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: First here on EARLY START, the entertainment world is reeling this morning after the abrupt decision by ABC to pull the late night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air indefinitely. It comes amid pressure from the Trump administration after the comedian's remarks on Monday about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Here's some of what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY KIMMEL, COMEDIAN: We hit some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: A representative for Kimmel did not respond to CNN's request for comment. A source close to the matter tells CNN the show is not being canceled, but there's also no timeline for its return.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said on a right wing podcast that Kimmel's comments on Charlie Kirk's assassination were the sickest conduct possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRENDAN CARR, FCC CHAIRMAN: A license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest. But frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: After the decision to pull Kimmel's show, President Trump and members of his administration taking to social media to celebrate it, a post from the White House said ABC is doing their viewers a favor, calling Kimmel a sick freak. The president later posting in part, great news for America. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. He then took aim at late night host Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, appearing to call for their shows to be pulled as well. It's not the first time President Trump has gone after the host.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They're next. They're going to be going. I hear they're going to be going, I don't know, but I would imagine because they'd get, you know, Colbert has better ratings than Kimmel or Fallon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: This latest backlash against Kimmel started when two major owners of ABC affiliated stations said they would preempt his show. Nexstar and Sinclair, they own local TV stations. They're vying to buy another station group, Tegna, and they need approval from the Trump administration to do so.

More now on the Kimmel controversy from CNN's chief media analyst Brian Stelter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Hey there. Yeah, this morning, the big question in Hollywood is about what Jimmy Kimmel might say or do next. So far, Kimmel has not commented on ABC's stunning decision to yank his show off the airwaves amid Trump administration pressure. Kimmel, of course, has been a scathing critic of President Trump and the administration. His political views are no secret. He has even showed up to anti-Trump protests in the past.

But Kimmel's program has been a key part of the ABC lineup for years. In some ways, Kimmel is one of the defining faces of the ABC network. So for ABC to sideline him so suddenly taking such a severe action, it raises all sorts of questions, both for the network as well as for the comedian and his many fans.

Kimmel was preparing to tape his program on Wednesday night in his studio along Hollywood Boulevard when he was told that the show was going to be shelved and he was going to be benched.

[05:05:04]

We have not heard directly from him or from his producing team. So as Wednesday turns into Thursday here, I'm quite curious to see what, if anything, Kimmel will say. ABC is also going to be facing some questions because the network is being widely criticized for what appears to be an act of capitulation to the Trump administration.

We do know how the Trump FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, a handpicked ally and friend of President Trump, has been harshly critical of Kimmel and also has been pressuring ABC on a number of fronts. Carr has been using the powers of the federal government agency in order to try to reshape the American media landscape.

When I asked him for comment about ABCs decision, he didn't respond with any words, but he sent me a Gif. He sent me an image from the NBC sitcom "The Office", where you see characters celebrating dancing. Clearly, Carr was very happy to see this program suddenly sidelined.

But Kimmel has millions of fans out there. He has a lot of folks who want to see him back on the air. So, now, ABC has resolved pressure from one direction, but its going to come under pressure from another direction.

So this coming day here, big questions both for ABC and for Kimmel about what he might want to do next and whether he will take his show elsewhere.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: Brian Stelter, thank you.

Reactions are pouring in from Washington and also in Hollywood.

Comedian and actor Wanda Sykes says she was scheduled as a guest on Kimmel's show Wednesday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WANDA SYKES, ACTOR & COMEDIAN: I'm in a full face of makeup because I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show, but as you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel show has been pulled indefinitely, abruptly because of complaints from the Trump administration. He didn't end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Now, analysts say it may be part of a bigger goal for the Trump administration taking control over the media.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFFREY TOOBIN, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Of all things to be offended by, you know, the I've heard a lot more offensive things said in the aftermath of this terrible, awful event than that. And it just shows they are looking for reasons to get Jimmy Kimmel and they manufactured one out of something that is, you know, hardly a dramatic departure from what lots of people are saying.

KARA SWISHER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: In this case, it's really a sensitive issue around free speech and comics and others being able to say what they want. And if this week has been anything, its proof that free speech meant nothing to these people and this was not their -- their main concern. What their main concern was about was control of media. And this is yet another step. And they will continue to do so, including the lawsuit against "The New York Times", the lawsuit against some publishing houses.

And it follows universities and law firms. It's a textbook autocratic takeover playbook, essentially.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: We go across the pond now where the U.S. president's second state visit to the U.K. has been filled with splendor and flattery, but today brings a serious conversations.

Donald Trump will hold private talks with Keir Starmer at the British prime ministers country home checkers. They're expected to discuss trade and tech investments, as well as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

This follows an opulent banquet at Windsor castle that President Trump called one of the highest honors of his life.

King Charles III spoke of, quote, the enduring bond between our two great nations and President Trump shared a pointed message. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Together, we've done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history. Together, we must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are, and we must continue to stand for the values and the people of the English speaking world. And we do indeed stand for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Before the big banquet, there was plenty of pomp and ceremony and symbolism. King Charles and President Trump here setting off on a carriage ride through Windsor estate. The queen and president were accompanied by 80 soldiers who you see this happening underwent undergoing a ceremonial inspection.

And then there was that the Royal Air Force flyover trails of red, white and blue streaming through the skies.

CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster has been following all of this, and he's live in Windsor for us.

[05:10:01]

This presidential visit, Max, has been met with quite a show.

And we're having some difficulties there with Max, so well get back to him shortly.

Still ahead for us, Israel's finance minister suggests a potential real estate bonanza in Gaza after the war. We'll have details of what he says is planned.

Plus, how students are coping at Utah Valley University. A week after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the campus.

And the FBI chief again in the hot seat on Capitol Hill. A look at how a second day of hearings played out.

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[05:15:07]

ABEL: We are going to go back now to CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster, who has been following all of the president's visit here in the U.K.

And it's been quite a show, Max, so far. A whole bunch of pageantry. Fill us in. I think we got things squared away.

FOSTER: Yes. So the pageantry is over, really. That was yesterday. Today is more about politics. So we're about to see President Trump head into marine one and go over to the prime ministers country residence, Chequers, they call it. So were braced at the back door of Windsor castle to see the president head out there to the lawn, where he'll head off.

We'll bring you those images as they happen. We also know that Melania Trump is going to be staying in Windsor Castle. She's got a couple of engagements with the queen and the princess of Wales, which people are very excited about here, because everyone's assuming they're going to get on very well, and we're excited to see what they're going to discover in the -- in the palace and also in the palace grounds as well here.

But here's an idea of what happened yesterday on that pomp and pageantry day, which was all really about making Donald Trump feel special ahead of these political meetings.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER (voice-over): It was a welcome fit for a king. President Donald Trump was trumpeted into Windsor Castle, home to Britain's royal family, at the start of an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom. Carefully scripted, choreographed photo ops all far from the reach of the public.

But not all went to plan. The president's mug shot, along with photos with Jeffrey Epstein, beamed onto the castles walls ahead of Trump's arrival. And crowds of anti-Trump protesters, furious at this unprecedented honor for a president even less appreciated outside the States.

But this was all about Donald Trump. Feel special? It was flattery by numbers. The largest ever guard of honor for a visiting leader. The famous redcoats of the British army's oldest, most storied regiments, a festival of pomp and ceremony, the special sauce, the British royal family does so well.

The best of Britain, sweetened with a touch of Americana, red, white and blue from Britain's Red Arrows and the great British weather fouled hopes of an historic first fly-past with American Air Force jets.

A sigh of relief then here at Windsor Castle, after a successful embarrassment free day.

Tomorrow will be more complex as the political talks begin.

Trade talks, you've got Ukraine, the future of NATO, all topics very high on the agenda on both sides of the Atlantic.

Great Britain pulled out all the stops to woo Donald Trump.

KING CHARLES III: The ocean may still divide us, but in so many other ways, we are now the closest of kin.

FOSTER: Many in the corridors of power, at least, will hope that pomp and ceremony will keep the U.K. in Trump's heart and out of his crosshairs.

(END VIDEOTAPE) FOSTER (on camera): Donald Trump, describing this visit as one of the highest honors of my life in that speech that he gave there at the state banquet yesterday. So the royal family really did their job. They made him feel special. They gave him one of the most wonderful visits that he can even remember, according to a lot of what he said and his feedback.

And now, it is really going to political meetings. Keir Starmer, desperate for a win of some kind, perhaps on trade. Sounds unlikely, according to what we're hearing, perhaps on Ukraine, perhaps on NATO, getting a commitment from the U.S., on NATO, just getting something out of President Trump to show that this visit also had some political gains because Keir Starmer, in a lot of trouble, Brian, politically, even people in his own party calling for him to go.

So he personally needs something. And I don't think the king really could have set up the tone better, really.

ABEL: So setting up the prime minister, Max, but what would be the consequences if there isn't a win for Keir Starmer here? Is this an inflection point for him politically?

FOSTER: I think so. He's had a series of scandals in his party and its just gone from bad to worse. The economy is looking in a terrible state and he's losing support with outspoken members of his own party actually going out against him in public. If he can't point to something that he's gained, then I think that momentum is just going to continue and continue.

He has this special access, really to Donald Trump, not just because of the visit, but because of -- he's able to offer Donald Trump something that no other country is able to offer, and that's satisfaction for his fascination with British monarchy. And they really rolled out the red carpet for him. They could not have done more for him.

[05:20:02]

So if Keir Starmer can't get something out of a meeting following all of that, then I think his position will be questioned yet again.

ABEL: And, Max, as we await the president and the king to come out of the castle there, what would a win look like for the prime minister? What on trade could be accomplished here?

FOSTER: Well, we, you know, famously it was the first big trade deal that Donald Trump signed with a foreign country and a foreign allied country. Some people felt that Keir Starmer went too early. He could have got more. The reality is it was just a framework. There was no detail to it. So Downing Street had been trying to work with the White House, trying to get some firm details, which actually show how much money Keir Starmer might have saved the U.K. in getting a favorable trade deal with the United States, but that they've been playing that language down.

Donald Trump did say he did want to give something to Keir Starmer on trade. I don't know how substantial that's going to be. If he gives him something big, I think that's a big win for Keir Starmer. But he's also one of the three key leaders in Europe that's been really behind Ukraine and coordinating behind Ukraine and effectively lobbying the white house on doing more for Ukraine.

So if he can get something there that would also be seen as a win. And just more broadly for Europe, you know, positivity towards NATO, any language there, but we can see there the king walking President Trump out of Windsor Castle. So there's a whole quadrangle up at the top where Queen Elizabeth used to live, which is private. And that's where the president has been staying. And the king has been staying. The king actually doesn't live here at the moment, but he stayed the night to host his friend, as President Trump calls Charles.

I don't think we're going to be able to listen in to any of the sound, because that's not really the protocol. But let's try.

Okay, there's no sound there. But I think Donald Trump did seem to answer some questions from the media there briefly. So well wait to hear what he said to them. Marine One waiting outside the broad strategy has been, well, the strategy has been to move the president between secure lockdown areas in his helicopter. The Beast has been brought over as well, but literally just to drive around Windsor through the castle. And this is to protect him on security grounds. That's the official line, but I think its probably to protect him from any embarrassments as well, from any demonstrations that might have appeared.

They didn't want him to feel in any way. This was not good for him. If he had seen pictures of Jeffrey Epstein, he would have been embarrassed. And so there are avoiding all of that. He's not coming into contact with the public at all. So, it's felt very sterile. This entire visit, particularly the carriage procession, which is normally done through crowds of people. So some questions about that. But officially its all been done for security grounds, on security grounds, and the Beast make its way past yet another honor guard.

Again, not necessary because this isn't part of the official state visit, but they're just rolling out any sort of honors that they can whenever they get a chance for the president. And he'll go through the various little alleyways and lanes that go through this castle, which is enormous.

And then they'll head out towards, Marine One, which has landed on some grass over there, and then straight over to Chequers, which is, I guess you could call it the Camp David of the U.K.

ABEL: And, Max, the Chequers, about 40 miles or so is my understanding from where the president is currently.

FOSTER: Yeah, he wouldn't take more than half an hour really, to get there. So, and then he's straight into meetings. Business executives are there. So there will be a meeting obviously, between Keir Starmer, some of his key people as well, and the president to try to thrash out some sort of win as we were describing. There will also be a meeting, a roundtable with business leaders that might end up being the win. Big investments from U.S. companies might be part of this.

Certainly, there has been progress on trying to create partnerships on technology, particularly A.I., so that might be what Keir Starmer will point to. And Microsoft, for example, plowing tens of millions into the U.K. economy. And that was all announced as part of this trip.

And then there will also be a tour of the collection, a government collection you might have seen yesterday. He saw some items from the royal collection. He'll see items from the government collection, which really speaks to Churchill. So some key Churchill memorabilia, again, playing to Trump's fascination with the U.K., which is the monarchy.

But it's also Churchill. He famously brought the bus back into the Oval Office because he's so fond of Churchill and he's going to get real special access to some key moments in Churchill's political history. And I think hell find that fascinating. But because he's -- I mean, he was meant to leave at half an hour ago. They've lost half an hour of that already.

ABEL: All right. Certainly playing to President Trump's interests. Max Foster in Windsor for us -- Max, thank you. We know we'll continue to monitor the movements of President Trump and we'll have more ahead this hour on the state visit.

Plus, we'll have Pope Leo XIV giving his first sit down interview since taking the helm of the Catholic Church. We'll have a live report on that interview next.

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