President Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday following the announcement by ABC that Jimmy Kimmel would be returning to late-night television. Trump accused ABC of showing bias towards Democrats and suggested that this decision could be seen as an illegal campaign contribution.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump criticized ABC’s move and reignited his ongoing feud with Kimmel, who has been known for frequently ridiculing him in his show’s opening segments. Trump questioned ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel, claiming that the show had faced cancellation and highlighting the decline in audience engagement and perceived lack of talent.
Referring to Kimmel’s content as predominantly positive towards Democrats, Trump criticized the show’s direction and insinuated that it could constitute a significant illegal campaign contribution. He hinted at taking action against ABC, recalling a past incident where he received a substantial sum after criticizing the network.
Despite Trump’s objections, Jimmy Kimmel Live! made its comeback on ABC last night after facing an indefinite suspension that sparked widespread discussions. The controversy stemmed from Kimmel’s recent monologue, where he criticized the politicization of a conservative influencer’s death by supporters of the “MAGA gang.”
The backlash led major ABC affiliate groups, Sinclair and Nexstar, to suspend Kimmel indefinitely from their broadcasts. FCC Chair Brendan Carr also weighed in, warning of potential regulatory consequences for broadcasters airing the show without addressing concerns raised.
Disney and ABC faced immediate backlash from audiences and industry figures, with cancellations of Disney+ subscriptions and calls for Kimmel’s reinstatement. Amid debates on censorship and free speech, the company evaluated the situation, held discussions with Kimmel, and decided to resume the program in its regular time slot on Tuesday evening.
However, Sinclair announced it would not air the comeback episode on its ABC affiliates, opting for news programming until further resolutions with ABC were reached. This development followed CBS’s choice not to renew Stephen Colbert for another series, citing financial considerations despite Colbert’s strong viewership ratings among late-night shows.