US President Donald Trump unleashed a verbal assault on ABC, lambasting the network for bringing back Jimmy Kimmel Live! just days after its suspension. The late-night talk show, hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, returned to the airwaves on September 23, 2025, following a brief hiatus prompted by controversial comments made by Kimmel about Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters. The decision by Disney-owned ABC to reinstate the program has sparked a heated reaction from the President, who took to his Truth Social platform to vent his frustration.
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump fumed in a post. “The White House was told by ABC that his show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there.” Trump’s scathing remarks didn’t stop there. He accused Kimmel of being a biased entertainer who consistently pushes a pro-Democrat agenda, calling the show “99% positive Democrat GARBAGE” and questioning why ABC would risk its reputation by reviving a program with dwindling ratings.
The controversy stems from a monologue Kimmel delivered on September 15, 2025, where he commented on the tragic killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel described the “MAGA gang” as attempting to distance themselves from the shooter, Tyler Robinson, while exploiting the incident for political gain. The remarks drew widespread backlash, prompting Disney to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, citing the comments as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.” However, after internal deliberations, the network reversed its decision, stating that the suspension was meant as a “cooling-off period” and that further action was deemed unnecessary.
Also Read: Rubio Justifies Trump’s India Tariffs, Citing Russian Oil Buys
Trump, who had previously celebrated the show’s suspension as “great news for America,” was incensed by its return. He went as far as to suggest that ABC’s decision to air Kimmel’s show could constitute an “Illegal Campaign Contribution” to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), accusing the program of acting as an extension of the DNC’s political machinery. “Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy?” Trump questioned, adding a cryptic warning: “Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million.” The President concluded his tirade by branding ABC and Kimmel “a true bunch of losers” and wishing for Kimmel to “rot in his bad ratings.”
The reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has reignited debates about media bias and the role of late-night television in shaping political discourse. Critics of Kimmel argue that his commentary often crosses the line into partisan territory, while supporters defend his right to free speech and satirical commentary. For its part, ABC has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of its decision-making process, with Disney’s statement offering little insight beyond the need for a brief pause in production.
As the feud between Trump and Kimmel escalates, the President’s remarks hint at potential legal or public relations challenges for ABC. His reference to a previous $16 million settlement raises questions about past disputes between Trump and the network, though details remain unclear. Meanwhile, Kimmel has yet to publicly respond to Trump’s latest attack, leaving viewers to speculate whether the comedian will address the controversy in his signature monologue style.
The clash underscores the ongoing tension between political figures and media outlets in an increasingly polarized landscape. With Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on air, all eyes are on how the show navigates its return and whether Trump’s warnings will lead to further action against ABC. For now, the President’s fiery rhetoric has only amplified the spotlight on Kimmel’s program, ensuring that this saga is far from over.
Also Read: Trump Calls Climate Change “Greatest Con Job” at UN