Coup d’etat is a “sudden, usu. violent, government takeover.” [FN1] One might argue that other countries, and only shithole [FN2] countries at that, endure such events. To call what has unfolded over the past several years in the USA a “coup” might be difficult, but 1/10

only if one insists a takeover be “sudden.” Violence is here. Free speech? One late-night comedy host too-many has been fired. This not only is a warning, but a test. What is reality? Jimmy Kimmel was not fired for mention, in monologue, of Charlie Kirk. [FN3] 2/10

The First Amendment protects speech, esp. about political issues & figures. [FN4] Bad taste is not a factor, but if it were trump, et al, are practitioners. One example: the attack on Speaker Pelosi’s husband. [FN5] “Bad taste” was not Kimmel’s sin, according to trump. 3/10

“‘I have read someplace that the networks were 97 percent against me, I get 97 percent negative, and yet I won and easily,’ [ t]rump said as he returned to Washington following a state visit to Britain, adding: ‘I would think maybe their license should be taken away.’” [FN6] 4/10

Contrary to trump, Kimmel was not fired for “bad ratings.” [FN7] Kimmel’s ratings were at the top of late night shows. [FN8] trump had Kimmel’s show pulled because Kimmel made fun of him. We haven’t much time left. trump’s numbers tanked & 2026 is fading. 5/10

All three branches of the Federal government have been corrupted. trump no more “won” in ‘24 than he did in ‘16, meaning not at all. In shithole countries, the military has to step in & salvage things. trump has us well on the way to being a shithole country, as Putin wants. 6/10

Footnotes:
FN1. Black’s Law Dictionary, New Pocket Ed (1996) p. 149.
FN2. trump’sphrase in 2018. Ali Vitali, Kasie Hunt and Frank Thorp V, “Trump referred to Haiti and African nations as 'shithole' countries,” NBC News, 01/11/18, accessed 09/19/25. 7/10

FN3. His comments on Kirk were not extensive, but “took aim at Trump and his ‘MAGA Gang’ supporters for their response to the assassination” & included “attempts to characterize the alleged shooter as ‘anything other than one of them.’” PBS News, 09/19/25. 8/10

FN4. New York Times Co v Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964).
FN5. And if this is contrary to the maga world view, Kirk was a racist, misogynistic, bigoted fomenter of hatred.
FN6. Zolan Kanno-Youngs, “Trump pressures broadcasters over critical coverage, escalating an attack on speech,” NYT, 09/18/25, accessed 09/19/25. 9/10

FN7. Brett Samuels, “Trump says Kimmel ‘fired because he had bad ratings,’” The Hill, 09/18/25, accessed 09/19/25.
FN8. Most recent numbers: Kimmel ahead of Colbert, “among adults ages 18-49" the demographic advertisers base their ad sales on. Toni Fitzgerald, “Jimmy Kimmel Ratings Over The Years: He Was No. 1 With Young Adults,” Forbes, 09/19/25. 10/10