Donald Trump Criticizes ABC as Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late-Night TV

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized ABC after Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night talk show, a week after being suspended for controversial comments regarding the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.

On September 23, Trump posted on Truth Social:

“Unbelievable that fake news ABC would give Jimmy Kimmel his job back. ABC previously informed the White House that Kimmel’s show had been canceled. What changed now? His audience is gone, talent was never there, and yet the network wants to risk their channel with a low-quality, unfunny host pushing 99% pro-Democrat trash.”

Trump also accused Kimmel of being affiliated with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and claimed his return to television amounted to illegal support for the Democratic Party’s campaign.

“I think we’ll test ABC on this. Let’s wait and see. Last time I sued them, they gave me $16 million. This case sounds even easier,” Trump threatened.

Kimmel’s Return to Air

Kimmel returned to ABC’s late-night lineup on September 23, carefully balancing his trademark humor with a more restrained tone in response to the backlash.

“I never intended to make light of someone’s death. I think there’s nothing funny about this at all,” Kimmel said, visibly emotional. He added that he did not intend to blame any group for the actions of “an individual clearly suffering from a severe mental disorder.”

The host had previously faced criticism for suggesting that conservatives were exploiting Kirk’s assassination for political points and for joking that Trump’s mourning resembled a “child mourning a goldfish.”

FCC Response and Local Blackouts

Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), described Kimmel’s prior remarks as “unprecedentedly bad conduct” and implied that the FCC could revoke licenses of ABC affiliates as a way to pressure the network to sanction the host.

As a result, two local ABC affiliates temporarily pulled Kimmel’s show from their airwaves.

Despite the controversy, Kimmel’s first night back was received as a cautious attempt to address the criticism while maintaining his comedic style, signaling a new chapter in his late-night career amid one of the most politically charged periods in recent TV history.