Jimmy Fallon Says He’ll “Stay Out of Politics” on The Tonight Show: “We Hit Both Sides Equally”

Jimmy Fallon has made it clear that he wants to keep The Tonight Show away from politics, focusing instead on entertainment and laughter for his audience.

In a recent interview with CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Fallon explained that his talk show “has never really been political,” and he intends to keep it that way.

“We hit both sides equally, and the goal is just to make everybody laugh,” Fallon said. “Our monologues are basically the same as they were back when Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show. So really, I just keep my head down and make sure the jokes are funny.”

He also praised his writing team: “I have great writers. We just want to make the best show possible and entertain everyone.”

Politics and the Late-Night Debate

Fallon’s remarks come at a time when the role of politics in late-night TV has been heavily scrutinized, especially after Jimmy Kimmel was briefly pulled off the air following his comments on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

On Sept. 15, Kimmel remarked in his opening monologue that the “MAGA gang” was trying to build political momentum from Kirk’s killing. Soon after, major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! FCC chair Brendan Carr even suggested that broadcasters should “take action” against Kimmel, warning that otherwise, the FCC might have to step in.

ABC — Kimmel’s home for 24 seasons — temporarily removed the show, but brought it back on Sept. 22. Nexstar and Sinclair resumed airing it shortly after.

Trump Lashes Out After Kimmel’s Return

Following Kimmel’s return, former President Donald Trump blasted the show on Truth Social, calling Kimmel “not funny,” “a ratings disaster,” and accusing Jimmy Kimmel Live! of pushing “99% pro-Democrat garbage.” He hinted that he might once again go after ABC legally, suggesting it could be “even more lucrative” than past disputes.

Fallon Chooses a Different Path

By contrast, Jimmy Fallon seems determined to steer clear of the political spotlight that often surrounds fellow hosts like Kimmel or Stephen Colbert. Instead, Fallon emphasized that his priority is to keep things lighthearted, fun, and focused on comedy.

That approach may help The Tonight Show stand out as a more purely entertainment-driven program, at a time when much of late-night TV has become deeply politicized.