Kimmel Returns to Late Night, Fires Back at Trump’s Threats and ABC Fallout

Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC’s late-night lineup Monday with a combative monologue that framed his reinstatement after a suspension as a stand against censorship, while also sparring with Donald Trump’s latest threats to sue the network over his return. The host had been briefly pulled from the air last week after remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk drew backlash, and he used his first show back to insist that he would not back down from criticizing the former president.

On stage, Kimmel rebutted Trump’s social-media post accusing ABC of letting him back on the air, and he noted that the network had taken a risk in bringing him back. He labeled Trump a bully for threatening to suppress criticism and pressed the broader point that government pressure on a comedian is an affront to American values. The host also mocked the notion that the White House had been told by ABC that Trump’s program had been canceled, telling the audience that the claim was not accurate and that the network’s decision to bring him back stood despite the president’s rhetoric.

Kimmel’s return featured a rapid-fire blend of political barbs and show-business jabs. He quipped about Trump’s claims regarding ratings and his relevance, a running gag about a hypothetical “Crappy Ratings Club,” and he teased that if Trump pursued a lawsuit, the courts would be full of unexpected defendants, including a fictional Judge Steve Harvey. The monologue also touched on the larger theme of censorship, with Kimmel arguing that a government attempt to silence a comedian represents an anti-American move, a point he underscored with a defiant tone that drew standing ovations from the studio audience.

Throughout the night, Kimmel kept the focus on the clash between free speech and political pressure. He used humor to frame the broader conversation about accountability for political leaders and how media platforms should handle criticism. The jokes also reflected the renewed attention on the influx of social-media narratives around the White House and the media’s role in shaping public perception.

The show’s numbers reflected a sizable audience, with Monday’s edition drawing approximately 6.26 million viewers on ABC. That figure sits well above typical ratings for a Monday in recent weeks, although the program continued to be preempted on about 23% of markets due to affiliates’ scheduling decisions. ABC noted that the episode’s emotional, 20-minute monologue had been viewed more than 25 million times on social media, and a YouTube version of the segment had exceeded 15 million views, a record for the program. The network emphasized that streaming and time-shifted viewing contributed to the overall reach, underscoring the show’s renewed visibility after the controversy.

Separately, Nexstar and Sinclair, which collectively own about a quarter of ABC’s affiliates in smaller markets, said they would continue to preempt the show while reviewing the situation. In a joint statement, Nexstar stressed ongoing discussions with Disney, ABC’s parent, about ensuring the program reflects the diverse interests of the communities it serves. The stance highlights the broader friction between talk-show hosts and affiliate groups over content and scheduling during a highly charged political moment.

The controversy surrounding Kimmel also intersected with past disputes involving ABC News. In December, ABC News agreed to a settlement with Donald Trump that included a donation to a presidential library and the payment of legal fees related to assertions made by a top ABC anchor about Trump’s civil liability in another matter. The agreement, described in the filings at the time, involved a charitable contribution and a formal expression of regret about the segment’s handling.

Kimmel’s return comes amid a wider national conversation about censorship, accountability, and the boundaries of political commentary in late-night television. The host has long used his platform to critique political figures and media practices, and Monday’s show reframed that role within a moment of renewed confrontation with Trump’s rhetoric. Viewers and critics alike will be watching how the dynamic evolves as networks, affiliates, and audiences navigate the continuing fallout from this episode of late-night television.