Key Highlights:
- Jimmy Kimmel marked the 30th anniversary of Fox News with a sharp-tongued monologue targeting the conservative network.
- Kimmel singled out media mogul Rupert Murdoch, delivering a pointed critique of the billionaire’s influence on American political discourse.
- The segment concluded with a curated montage highlighting controversial and absurd moments from the cable channel’s broadcast history.
Jimmy Kimmel Marks 30 Years of Fox News with Late-Night Takedown
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel took direct aim at Fox News as the conservative media giant marked its 30th anniversary. Kimmel, who frequently tangles with the network and its commentators on his late-night platform, used the milestone as an opportunity to deliver a blistering assessment of the channel’s lasting cultural and political footprint across the United States.
Opening his monologue by addressing the network’s longevity, Kimmel did not hold back his criticism. “Fox News turned 30 years old today, and what do you get for the network that ruined everything? Fox News launched on October 7th, 1996 as sort of a BET for angry white grandpas,”
says Kimmel in the clip above.
Scathing Critique of Rupert Murdoch’s Media Empire
The host turned his attention squarely toward Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon responsible for establishing the network in the mid-1990s. Kimmel took aim at the Australian-born billionaire’s editorial legacy and the polarized media environment that followed in the wake of the channel’s rise to cable prominence.
“Three decades ago, a visionary named Rupert Murdoch asked a simple question. He asked, ‘What if the news was whatever I want it to be?’ And with nothing more than millions of dollars and a complete disregard for the America in which he wasn’t born, he turned that idea into what has become the number one reason you can’t talk to your dad anymore.”
Following Kimmel’s remarks, the late-night broadcast aired an archival compilation designed to underscore his commentary. Cue a montage of Fox News clips that are as depressing and ridiculous as you’d expect, detailing the network’s long record of controversial on-air segments and provocative rhetoric spanning the past three decades.
Why This Matters
Kimmel’s segment illustrates the enduring friction between mainstream late-night talk shows and conservative cable television. Since its debut on October 7, 1996, Fox News has grown into a dominant force in American political media, reshaping news presentation and driving passionate cultural debates. By directly challenging Murdoch’s legacy and pointing to ideological divisions within American households, Kimmel’s commentary reflects the deep polarization that continues to define modern political discourse across traditional broadcast networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Fox News officially launch?
Fox News launched on October 7, 1996, marking 30 years as a major cable news network.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Rupert Murdoch?
Kimmel characterized Murdoch as an outsider who used his wealth to reshape journalism according to personal whim, claiming he asked, ‘What if the news was whatever I want it to be?’
and ultimately turned the network into “the number one reason you can’t talk to your dad anymore.”
How did Jimmy Kimmel’s broadcast illustrate its critique of Fox News?
Following his opening monologue, the show featured a video montage showcasing past Fox News clips to highlight the channel’s broadcast tone and controversial editorial history over the past thirty years.
