President Donald Trump lashed out on social media after Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return to air following its brief suspension last week. Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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.” He continued, “Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.
He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.” The president also suggested possible legal action, referencing his past settlement with ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos. “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.” ABC News previously paid Trump a reported $16 million settlement after Stephanopoulos falsely stated on air that Trump had been found liable for rape.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s latest remarks signal a new lawsuit against ABC. Trump has recently launched several other high-profile legal actions. Last week, he filed a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, which was quickly dismissed by a judge who ruled that courts were not “a protected platform to rage against an adversary.”
In July, Trump also sued The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over its reporting on his ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Kimmel’s show was initially suspended after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, appeared on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast and threatened to revoke ABC’s license in response to Kimmel’s jokes about Republicans following activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
The suspension sparked intense backlash, with critics across the political spectrum condemning the move as a dangerous attack on free speech. Within days, Disney reversed its decision, confirming Kimmel would return to his late-night slot on Tuesday.
The reversal frustrated many Trump supporters. An executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show called Disney’s move a “mistake,” while others urged conservatives to pressure the network with complaints.
Major affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair, which together operate about 20 percent of local ABC affiliates, announced they would not air Kimmel’s comeback episode. Sinclair also demanded that Kimmel apologize and donate to Kirk’s Turning Point USA before his show is broadcast on their stations.