Fox News host Greg Gutfeld has ignited a firestorm of controversy following his recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 7, 2025. During his segment on Gutfeld! the following day, he showered praise on Fallon for his warm hospitality while delivering a scathing critique of another prominent late-night host, Stephen Colbert. This unexpected crossover between Fox News and NBC, coupled with Gutfeld’s pointed remarks, has sparked heated debate across social media and news outlets, with fans and critics weighing in on the evolving landscape of late-night television.

A Surprising Late-Night Crossover

Gutfeld’s debut on The Tonight Show marked a rare moment of convergence between the politically polarized worlds of Fox News and network television. The appearance, which was largely apolitical, saw Gutfeld and Fallon reminiscing about their first meeting 15 years ago at a mutual friend’s “illegal speakeasy” in Hell’s Kitchen. The two shared a comically oversized hug and swapped lighthearted stories, steering clear of divisive political topics for most of the segment. Gutfeld was on the show to promote his new Fox Nation game show, What Did I Miss?, where contestants guess whether news headlines are real or fake. A brief mention of President Donald Trump surfaced when Gutfeld quipped, “With Trump, you can’t tell,” prompting Fallon to add, “You never know what he’s going to do.”

The cordial exchange stood in stark contrast to the expectations of some viewers, who anticipated a confrontational encounter given Gutfeld’s conservative leanings and Fallon’s more mainstream audience. Instead, Gutfeld praised Fallon’s willingness to host him, noting that it took “guts” for Fallon to invite a Fox News personality, risking backlash from left-leaning viewers. “Fallon seems like a great, genuine guy who wants to make people laugh instead of putting them to bed angrier,” Gutfeld said on The Five on July 31, 2025, hyping his upcoming appearance.

Slamming Stephen Colbert

While Gutfeld lauded Fallon, he didn’t hold back when targeting Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show. On the August 8 episode of Gutfeld!, he took aim at Colbert, whose show was recently canceled by CBS, with its final episode slated for May 2026. Gutfeld mocked Colbert’s interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, calling it “clueless and boring” and contrasting it with Fallon’s approach to late-night entertainment. “I went on the show for the same reason I started this show. Late night needs more fun,” Gutfeld declared, accusing Colbert of fueling divisiveness rather than fostering humor.

Gutfeld’s comments come amid speculation that Colbert’s cancellation may be linked to his vocal criticism of Trump and a $16 million settlement between Paramount, CBS’s parent company, and the president over a 60 Minutes interview with Harris. While CBS cited financial reasons for the cancellation, some believe Colbert’s political commentary played a role, especially given Trump’s public gloating over the decision and his warnings that Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel could face similar fates.

Mixed Reactions from Fans and Critics

The reaction to Gutfeld’s appearance and subsequent remarks has been polarized. Supporters praised Fallon for bridging the political divide, with one YouTube commenter stating, “Must respect for having Gutfeld on as a guest. Cultural left mixing with cultural right is one of the best ways to reunite the country.” Others commended Fallon’s apolitical approach, with a viewer noting, “Respect to Jimmy for actually inviting guests and have fun conversations and not make it political.”

However, critics were less forgiving, accusing Fallon of “normalizing” controversial figures like Gutfeld, who has made polarizing statements in the past, including a 2023 remark suggesting conservatives should reclaim the word “Nazi” and a claim that “elections don’t work.” On Reddit, one user fumed, “There is no defense of this. This dude is part of the tinderbox that is MAGA. Fallon having him on means I now hate Jimmy Fallon.” Another referenced Fallon’s 2016 interview with Trump, where he famously ruffled the then-candidate’s hair, writing, “Fallon has normalized the right’s worst before. This is nothing new.”

Some speculated that Fallon’s decision to host Gutfeld was a strategic move to avoid cancellation, especially after Trump’s threats against him and Kimmel. “Fallon sees the writing on the wall. Doesn’t want to go the way of Colbert,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed out that Fallon’s show has struggled in the ratings, averaging 1.188 million viewers in Q2 2025, compared to Gutfeld!’s 3.289 million.

The Changing Landscape of Late-Night TV

Gutfeld’s appearance and his remarks highlight the shifting dynamics of late-night television. Once dominated by apolitical humor, the genre has become increasingly polarized, with hosts like Colbert and Kimmel leaning into political satire, while Fallon has maintained a lighter, less confrontational tone. Gutfeld’s success with Gutfeld!—which outperforms its broadcast rivals despite airing earlier at 10/9c—suggests a growing appetite for alternative voices in the late-night space.

As the debate rages on, Gutfeld’s praise for Fallon and criticism of Colbert underscore the tension between entertainment and ideology in late-night TV. While some applaud the crossover as a step toward unity, others see it as a betrayal of principles. With Colbert’s show nearing its end and Trump’s influence looming large, the future of late-night comedy remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Gutfeld’s appearance has stirred a conversation that won’t die down anytime soon.