Robert De Niro’s Surprising Cameo on Jimmy Kimmel’s Show
Robert De Niro made a surprising cameo appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show on Tuesday evening. The show, which was broadcast live from Washington, DC, featured De Niro pretending to be the new chairman of Donald Trump’s FCC.
The Setup for De Niro’s Appearance
After Kimmel gave his emotional returning monologue, he told viewers that the new chairman of the FCC was on the way from Trump. This was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the real-life controversy surrounding Kimmel’s suspension, which was sparked by a threat from FCC chairwoman Brendan Carr.
De Niro’s Character Takes Aim at Whoopi Goldberg
De Niro, in character as the new FCC chairman, began by referencing "The View" host Whoopi Goldberg, saying, "So you tell Whoopi there, she better shows a little respect, or the only view she gets comes from George Washington. The bridge, not the guy." This was a nod to the fact that Goldberg’s colleagues on ABC’s "The View" had been silent about Kimmel’s suspension, and only addressed the controversy on Monday.
Threats and Intimidation
When Kimmel asked if he was threatening Goldberg, De Niro replied, "I would never threaten Miss Goldberg. I only teach lessons about consequences." This exchange was a commentary on the perception that the FCC is using strong-arm tactics to suppress freedom of speech.
A Satirical Take on Censorship
Kimmel followed up by saying, "Forgive me for saying, and maybe you’re the wrong man to speak to, but it seems like the FCC is using mob tactics to suppress freedom of speech." De Niro’s character responded by going on a tirade, saying, "What the hell did you just tell me? I am the damn FCC. I can do whatever I want. Look, it’s just me, Jimmy, the chairman of the FCC, and I’m gently suggesting that you shut the hell up."
The "Cost" of Free Speech
De Niro’s character continued to satirize the idea of censorship, saying, "Speak, it’s no longer free. We’re now taxing the word." This was a humorous take on the notion that the FCC is trying to control what people can and cannot say. When Kimmel asked how much it would cost to speak freely, De Niro explained, "It depends on what you want to say. If you want to say something nice about the president’s beautiful, thick, yellow hair, or how he does his makeup better than anyone, that’s free."
Watch the Full Video
The full video of De Niro’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show can be watched below.
