Donald Trump has threatened to sue ABC for reinstating Jimmy Kimmel. The President of the United States is furious after the Disney-owned network brought Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on the airwaves after production
was initially suspended following the late-night host’s comments about the death of Charlie Kirk.
On Tuesday, Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform: “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. 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. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing [99 per cent] positive Democrat GARBAGE.”
He added: “He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings. (sic)”
ABC had previously announced that Kimmel’s programme was taken off air indefinitely, but they never said he was fired. In December 2024, Disney settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump against ABC and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos, who had said Trump was found liable for rape, rather than sexual assault.
Meanwhile, talk shows – such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! – have been exempt from FCC equal time legislation, with networks otherwise having to provide time to opposing candidates.
In his returning opening monologue, Kimmel insisted it was “never his intention to make light” of Kirk’s death, while he also spoke about the importance of free speech and the chance to have “a show like this” to give other voices a platform.
He said: “I’ve had the opportunity to meet and spend time with comedians and talk show hosts from countries like Russia, countries in the Middle East, who tell me they would get thrown in prison for making fun of those in power and worse than being thrown in prison. They know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country.”
