Trump attacks Jimmy Kimmel, threatens ABC as late-night return stirs political clash

President Donald Trump lashed out on Truth Social Tuesday night as Jimmy Kimmel prepared to resume his show, writing that Kimmel should “rot in his bad Ratings” and describing the program as a “major Illegal Campaign Contribution” to the Democratic National Committee. He also threatened legal action against the “true bunch of losers” at ABC, saying, “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!” In a further jab, Trump questioned why anyone would bring back someone who “does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” adding that Kimmel was “yet another arm of the DNC” and would be the subject of a potential lawsuit. He concluded, “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.” The posts came about an hour before Kimmel’s return to television.

Kimmel’s program had been suspended rather than canceled, a decision ABC attributed to remarks the host made about the suspect in the public assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network indicated the suspension was a precautionary measure and announced this week that the show would return to the airwaves after reviewing the incident and public reaction. Trump’s posts arrived as late-night television resumes its nightly ratings skirmish amidst political noise and regulatory scrutiny.

The episode underscores ongoing friction between Trump and late-night hosts, a dynamic that has persisted across multiple terms and administrations. In the wake of Kimmel’s return, the network’s decision to bring the host back followed intense public pressure and internal reviews. The timing also comes as a broader debate over the role of media figures in political discourse continues to echo in regulatory circles.

Viewership data provided by industry trackers show Kimmel’s audience size in the second quarter at about 1.77 million viewers per night, placing him behind Stephen Colbert’s 2.42 million but ahead of NBC’s Jimmy Fallon at roughly 1.19 million. The figures also show Kimmel leading among adults 18-49, a key demographic for advertisers, though the late-night race remains tightly watched across networks.

ABC’s position amid politicized scrutiny was further complicated by comments from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who signaled potential action tied to the Jeff’s show and its handling of sensitive material. Carr and other regulators have pressed networks to ensure that political content and related claims are presented with appropriate balance and accountability, a charge that has taken on new urgency amid Trump’s ongoing confrontations with media figures and outlets.

Trump did not shy away from reasserting his stance on the dispute in more combative terms. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he wrote, echoing a sentiment that has framed his public posture toward media entities for years. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” The former president also referenced a past settlement, claiming, “Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars.” He concluded with a renewed barb about Kimmel’s audience, saying the host’s viewership was “gone.”

Trump’s posts came as Kimmel’s team prepared for his return, a development that ABC framed as a standard editorial decision following a cautionary period. Kimmel’s suspension had been tied to remarks about a high-profile case involving the suspect in the death of Charlie Kirk, and the network said it would reintroduce the program once it had completed its review and ensured appropriate handling of the topic moving forward. The broader context includes years of back-and-forth between Trump and late-night television figures, with the current cycle highlighting ongoing tensions between political figures, media platforms, and regulatory oversight.

As Kimmel returns to air, observers will watch how the network balances late-night entertainment with the heightened political sensitivities that have defined much of the public conversation in recent years. The episode also contributes to the ongoing examination of how late-night programs—and, more broadly, the media ecosystem—navigate accusations of political influence, advertising dynamics, and the implications of federal oversight in a highly polarized landscape.