Kimmel mocks Trump on return as ABC preemption persists
Late-night host sides with viewers in the wake of controversy and network pauses as Trump targets ratings and coverage
Jimmy Kimmel returned to air this week with a caustic takedown of President Donald Trump, telling viewers that he could not believe voters had given the former president his job back. The opening monologue followed Trump’s post on Truth Social railing against the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and accusing the network of biased coverage, a theme that has colored the show’s latest season.
During the segment, Kimmel read aloud a post in which Trump criticized Kimmel as “not funny” and suggested ABC fake news had restored the host’s program. “I can’t believe ABC fake news gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Kimmel read, then pressed back, “You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe we gave you your job back!” He also quoted Trump’s line about testing ABC with the show and mocked the notion of a lucrative payoff as a political gambit. The exchange underscored a familiar back-and-forth between the late-night host and the former president, who has in recent months weighed in on the show’s ratings and reception.
Kimmel’s return also referenced recent on-air remarks about the alleged shooter involved in the death of Charlie Kirk’s associate, a line that sparked backlash and led to a suspension of the show in some markets. On Wednesday, Kimmel acknowledged the controversy without issuing a direct apology, saying it was “never” his intention to “make light of the murder of a young man.” He added that his point was not to blame any particular group, describing the tragedy as that of a deeply disturbed individual. He teared up while addressing the audience and said he understood that the remarks felt ill-timed or unclear to some viewers, and that if the situation were reversed, he might feel the same way.
The host also praised Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, for forgiving the alleged shooter during a memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s associate. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply, and I hope it touches many,” Kimmel said, framing the moment as a reminder of compassion amid tragedy.
Kimmel’s comments about the incident were framed against a broader discussion of ratings and media dynamics. He addressed Trump’s own posts about his ratings, including a line in which the former president wrote, “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.” Kimmel used the moment to defend the show’s audience engagement and to argue that the program remains a focal point in ongoing battles over coverage and influence in late-night television.
In parallel to the on-air remarks, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that they would continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on certain ABC-affiliated local stations as discussions with The Walt Disney Company progress. Nexstar said it was evaluating the show’s status at local outlets and noted that it was engaging with Disney to ensure programming reflects the diverse communities served. The arrangement underscores the friction between national entertainment formats and local editorial or cultural sensitivities that has characterized the current media landscape.
The episode arrives as observers watch how ABC handles the balance between late-night entertainment and political sensitivity amid ongoing tensions with conservative and liberal audiences alike. While some viewers welcomed Kimmel’s pointed humor, others criticized the timing and framing of his jokes about violence and public figures. The network’s decision to engage with affiliates on preemption highlights the pressure applied by local stations to tailor content to regional audiences and standards, a development that could shape how similar programs navigate controversy in the future.
As the week progressed, the public narrative around Kimmel’s monologue and Trump’s response continued to unfold across social platforms and media outlets. The episode—and the surrounding conversations about ratings, censorship, and accountability—illustrates how late-night television remains a battleground for national discourse, even as the industry grapples with scheduling and affiliate agreements that can mute or amplify a show’s impact depending on where it is carried.
