Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 26, 2025 · Entertainment

Tony Dokoupil's Stark Reality Check on Jimmy Kimmel Leaves Gayle King Speechless

Gayle King was left speechless over her CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil's blunt commentary about Jimmy Kimmel

EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Gayle King Left Speechless by Tony Dokoupil's Blunt Commentary on Jimmy Kimmel

In a shocking moment that left viewers tuning in to CBS Mornings gasping, co-host Tony Dokoupil dropped a bombshell about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's return to the airwaves. The drama unfolded when Dokoupil pointed out that despite being suspended for four days over his comments about the suspect in Charlie Kirk's assassination, Kimmel's show still managed to rake in an astonishing 26 million views on social media.

The numbers were so staggering that even co-host Gayle King seemed taken aback by the sheer magnitude of it all. Dokoupil's candid observation was met with a stunned silence from King, who appeared momentarily speechless in her anchor chair. The tension was palpable as Dokoupil continued to drive home his point: "The business is bad if you're offending half the country – ones that voted for the guy he doesn't like."

Kimmel was suspended last week for comments about Charlie Kirk 's suspected assassin

Dokoupil's blunt commentary came on the heels of Kimmel's return to late-night TV, where he faced backlash from TV operators Sinclair and Nexstar over his comments about the suspect. Despite this, Kimmel's show drew in its largest audience in years, with millions tuning in to catch a glimpse of the embattled host.

But what makes Dokoupil's commentary even more significant is the context surrounding it. You see, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been mired in controversy since Trump suspended him for four days over his comments about the suspect. And things only got worse when Sinclair and Nexstar refused to air Kimmel's show, citing his comments as a reason.

It's no secret that Trump has been at odds with late-night hosts for months, but what's shocking is how he's also taken aim at CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. Just last month, Trump took to Truth Social and declared that "Gayle King's career is over." Ouch! He went on to say that she should have stayed loyal to him and his base, implying that her ratings were lackluster.

'Gayle King's career is over,' Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in August. 'No talent, no ratings, no strength!!!'

But King isn't one to back down from a fight. In response to Trump's scathing critique, she quipped, "Well, I'm sorry he feels that way." And when asked about the rumors surrounding her contract, she confidently stated, "I like my job, and I'll continue to do a good job."

However, insiders are whispering that King's days at CBS Mornings may be numbered. Sources close to the network have revealed that her contract is up in May, and it's highly unlikely that executives will renew it. And why? Well, it seems that the network's parent company, Paramount Global, has merged with Skydance Media, giving control of the company to David Ellison – son of billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison.

The deal has sparked controversy among media insiders, who are speculating about the implications for CBS News' coverage in the future. And just to make matters worse, Stephen Colbert's late-night show is also facing cancellation, with its final episode set to air in May.

Well-connected sources said that CBS News executives will 'most likely' not renew King's contract when it expires in May. The host is seen here in April after disembarking from Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin flight into the atmosphere

So what does it all mean? It seems that the winds of change are blowing through the world of late-night TV, and no one knows what the future holds for King, Dokoupil, or even Jimmy Kimmel. Stay tuned, folks – this drama is far from over!

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