"Should've been fired": Martina Navratilova reacts to Fox host Brian Kilmeade's controversial comment over Jimmy Kimmel's shock suspension

Martina Navratilova recently showcased her frustration over Fox News host Brian Kilmeade's statement on Jimmy Kimmel's suspension. Kimmel has been suspended indefinitely for his remarks on the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.

In one of his latest episodes, Kimmel suggested that the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement is trying to characterize the accused, 'Tyle Robinson,' with the aim of gaining political points from the ongoing situation. This statement did not sit right with Donald Trump supporters and officials, including the Federal Communications Commission of the United States, who reportedly accused Kimmel of misleading the American people.

Shortly after this, the Fox News host, Brian Kilmeade, who recently sparked outrage by suggesting that mentally ill homeless people should 'get a lethal injection,' criticized Kimmel's remarks as being far too extreme for television executives.

"The point is that Kimmel's comments went way too far for some television executives. Not for me, not for you, but for them. And they turned up the heat on Kimmel, the host, to calm down the rhetoric," said Kilmeade.

The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, called him out on X for his comments about Kimmel, stating:

"Says the guy who declared we should execute homeless people on television."

This garnered the attention of the former tennis player, Navratilova, who also slammed Kilmeade for his thoughts on the Kimmel case, writing:

"Kilmeade should have been fired…. But alas, he is on the right side of Trump," wrote Martina Navratilova.

Outside of the tennis court, Martina Navratilova is also infamous for being one of the most vocal advocates about political matters on social media. She is frequently seen opening up about her frustration with Donald Trump. Most recently, she made big accusations against the president after his $15 billion move.

Martina Navratilova opened up about Charlie Kirk's assassination

Shortly after the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk at the Utah university, Martina Navratilova made her feelings known about the assassination, showcasing concerns about the rising cases of political violence in the USA. Stating that the incident was an 'abhorrent' act, she called it a 'sad' day.

"Political violence is never ok. This is an abhorrent act from an abhorrent individual. It is a sad day in many ways as this kind of stuff is way too common….," Martina Navratilova wrote on X.

The former tennis player never falls short on voicing her opinion when it comes to Donald Trump, as in August 2025, she accused him of allegedly making sexual comments about his daughter, Ivanka Trump.

About the author

An English Honors graduate, Nancy is a journalist at Sportskeeda covering US Olympic sports. She has a total experience of 4 years, having previously worked as a Marketing Executive for BYJU’S before finding her footing at SK.

To deliver the best content, Nancy keeps herself updated by reading as much as possible about the athletes and the sport, and believes that researching and trusting credible sources is the key to reporting ethical and accurate information.

Track and Field events particularly interest Nancy, and she is a fan of Allyson Felix. While she cherished each of her victories, her favorite Olympic moment happens to be the retired athlete’s 10th medal at the Games.

Nancy believes that covering the personal lives and training sessions of the Olympic athletes, and showcasing old podcasts or interviews would help bridge the coverage gap of the sport in its off season.

When away from her keyboard, Nancy spends most of her free time reading books. She also writes poems and plans on publishing a book.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar