The Collegian Current (Politics Edition)

By Norah Schramm
News Reporter

​Jimmy Kimmel Fired… and then Reinstated? 
On September 15, Jimmy Kimmel was fired over statements made on his ABC late-night show, taken off the air for a short period of time. On his show, Kimmel said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” The statement caused him to be subsequently fired by the Disney Corporation (the parent company of ABC). The main issue with the firing of Jimmy Kimmel was due to the question of government oversight and suppression of the First Amendment. When he returned on September 23, 2025, his show saw an increase in viewership to 6.5 million viewers. This breaks from the treatment given to Stephen Colbert. 

Pete Hegseth Orders Meeting Without Reason
In an unprecedented turn of events, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for a meeting with all of the high-ranking military officials and generals without releasing information on what the meeting would be about. “‘The Secretary of War will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week,’ chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Hill, offering no additional details.” At the time of this article, we do not have any further information on what exactly will be discussed; however, this is a change from how these military proceedings are typically done. Often, most of these meetings take place with fewer military officials, and there is normally more time between when a meeting is called and when the meeting takes place. 

Oklahoma Orders Turning Point to be at Every High School
The Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters said at a press conference on September 17th: “We will be putting TPUSA on every high school campus in Oklahoma,” Walters said in the press release. “Charlie Kirk inspired a generation to love America, to speak boldly, and to never shy away from debate. Our kids must get involved and active. We will fight back against the liberal propaganda, pushed by the radical left, and the teachers' unions. Our fight starts now.” As of September 24th, 2025, according to the Oklahoma Voice, Walters is set to resign as the Superintendent to become the CEO of an anti-teacher union. 

Charlie Kirk’s Funeral: Memorial or Rally?
Charlie Kirk’s funeral on September 21, 2025, featured several speeches about Kirk’s death, including one by his widowed wife, Erika Kirk, who took control of Turning Point USA. Other keynote speakers included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Stephen Miller also spoke at this event, but his speech referenced the storm, which has sparked backlash online from a similar speech entitled “The Storm Is Coming” by Joseph Goebbels, who was the Head of Nazi Propaganda under Hitler.

Sources:
 https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5521707-hegseth-summons-top-generals/
https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/09/24/walters-to-resign-as-oklahoma-state-superintendent-announces-position-in-national-teacher-group/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jimmy-kimmel-responds-abc-show-indefinite-hold-rcna232128
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/24/turning-point-oklahoma-high-schools
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/charlie-kirk-funeral-09-21-25
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25484573.stephen-millers-charlie-kirk-speech-draws-joseph-goebbels-comparisons/
https://nypost.com/2025/09/29/media/jimmy-kimmel-sheds-64-of-audience-after-short-lived-ratings-spike-following-suspension/