US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized ABC after the network announced that it will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live! despite the late-night host’s controversial comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC officials confirmed on Monday that Kimmel’s show would return. The network had suspended him indefinitely last Wednesday following backlash over remarks he made about Kirk, who was killed on September 10. The suspension sparked intense debate, with critics accusing ABC of double standards and supporters arguing that the comedian had crossed a line.
Trump reacted furiously to the decision, blasting both Kimmel and the network in a Truth Social post. “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 went on to claim that Kimmel “puts the network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE” and suggested that this could constitute an illegal campaign contribution.
The US President further alleged that ABC’s support for Kimmel amounted to political favoritism: “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.” Closing his remarks, Trump said, “A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”
