A leading Republican senator has called out ABC and its late-night show host, Jimmy Kimmel after the latter appeared to directly sanction and even call for more violence against American citizens who own Tesla vehicles in a crude attempt at humor directed at CEO Elon Musk. During his monologue Wednesday evening, the late-night host’s vitriol against Musk, who has accomplished more in his life thus far than 100 Jimmy Kimmels, celebrated Tesla’s stock falling (as did the obviously partisan crowd) before noting that several Tesla dealerships and Tesla owners have been attacked and destroyed.
In the clip, Kimmel says, “People have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles. Please, don’t vandalize, don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles,” he said, looking into the camera while giving a long pause in an obvious “wink-wink nudge-nudge” moment that prompted laughter from the audience.
The apparent approval of more violence against Tesla drew the attention of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a former federal prosecutor who demanded to know if ABC approves of Kimmel’s “incitement of violence” and whether the network planned to address it or discipline its host. “Does ABC approve of Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air incitement of criminal behavior? Will ABC take any action or make any statement in response to it? If not, why not?” Lee wrote on the X platform along with a clip of the monologue.
Does ABC approve of Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air incitement of criminal behavior?
Will ABC take any action or make any statement in response to it?
If not, why not? https://t.co/J1n6j28jcu pic.twitter.com/J2JdvGkl5F
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 19, 2025
What Kimmel is essentially advocating for is more domestic terrorism, as Attorney General Pam Bondi made clear in a statement released on Wednesday. “The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences. We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes,” she said.