The White House of President Donald Trump just responded to some of the comments that ex-President Barack Obama made about the recent termination of Jimmy Kimmel. 

Fox News reports that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Obama's remarks on Saturday.

The press secretary made an appearance on the Fox News Channel's "Saturday in America."

After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 18, 2025

Background

Before we look at what Leavitt had to say, we will catch you up to speed on the background of the situation.

Just recently, ABC News decided to take "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air. This came after controversial remarks that Kimmel made about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel's removal has been widely celebrated by those on the political right, including President Donald Trump, who insist that it is long overdue. Democrats, however, are now trying to use this as an example of an assault on free speech.

Obama published a message to this effect, writing:

After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.

Obama has already received significant pushback for the message. The Daily Mail reports, "Yet during his presidency, his administration was accused of surveilling journalists, weaponizing the IRS, and cheering the de-platforming of conservative commentators."

The White House responds

Leavitt took her own shot at Obama on Saturday.

During her Fox News appearance, the White House press secretary said:

With all due respect to former President Barack Obama, he has no idea what he's talking about. The decision to fire Jimmy Kimmel and to cancel his show came from executives at ABC.

Leavitt went on to insist that President Trump had nothing to do with Kimmel's removal.

"And how do I know that, Kayleigh? Because I was with the President when this news broke in the United Kingdom." Leavitt said.

Trump celebrated Kimmel's removal, writing:

Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT