President Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday after ABC revealed that Jimmy Kimmel would be returning to late-night television. Trump accused the network of supporting Democrats and suggested that this decision could be seen as an “illegal campaign contribution.”
Taking to Truth Social, Trump criticized ABC’s choice and reignited his ongoing feud with Kimmel, who has frequently ridiculed him in his show’s opening segments. Trump questioned why ABC would bring back someone like Kimmel, whom he described as lacking talent, not funny, and predominantly promoting Democratic views that could jeopardize the network.
Trump further stated that ABC might face consequences for this decision, hinting at a potential legal challenge. He referenced a past financial settlement he received from ABC and implied that pursuing legal action could be even more lucrative. Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel Live! made its return on ABC last night despite Trump’s scathing remarks.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel escalated when he accused the “MAGA gang” of politicizing a recent event, leading to backlash from major ABC affiliate groups like Sinclair and Nexstar, who suspended Kimmel from their broadcasts indefinitely. FCC Chair Brendan Carr also weighed in, warning of regulatory actions if broadcasters continued airing the show without addressing concerns.
Amidst public outcry and debates on censorship, Disney and ABC faced criticism, with some viewers canceling Disney+ subscriptions and prominent figures demanding Kimmel’s reinstatement. Following discussions with Kimmel, the network decided to resume the show on its usual schedule, though Sinclair opted not to air the comeback episode on its ABC affiliates until further negotiations with ABC are resolved.
In a parallel development, CBS chose not to renew Stephen Colbert’s show due to financial considerations, despite his show garnering strong viewership ratings. The network clarified that the decision was based on financial factors, emphasizing ratings over Colbert’s critical stance on Donald Trump.