Trump threatens to sue ABC again as Jimmy Kimmel returns to late-night

Donald Trump escalated his public dispute with ABC on the eve of Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night, signaling another potential lawsuit against the network while casting the network as deceitful for bringing back the host. In a post that echoed familiar dismissals of ABC’s coverage, Trump argued that the network would be “test[ing]” him by reintroducing Kimmel and suggested he would pursue new legal action ahead of the show’s first Tuesday night edition. “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote, alleging the network’s prior assurances that Kimmel’s program was cancelled were inconsistent with the decision to bring him back. He added that Kimmel’s “ratings are poor” and that the host “puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.” He further described Kimmel as “another arm of the DNC” and hinted at a lucrative outcome in potential litigation.

The threat comes amid a broader backdrop of prior disputes between Trump and ABC. In December, ABC News agreed to pay about $15 million as a charitable contribution toward Trump’s presidential library as part of a settlement over assertions by longtime ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos that Trump had been civilly liable for rape allegations raised by writer E. Jean Carroll. The settlement also included that ABC would cover Trump’s legal fees, which have totaled roughly $1 million, and a note posted on ABC’s website expressing regret over statements made by Stephanopoulos during a March 10 segment of This Week. Trump had previously sued Stephanopoulos and the network for defamation in the wake of that interview.

ABC acknowledged the settlement and stated that Stephanopoulos and ABC regret the statements in the interview with Rep. Nancy Mace. Trump has consistently criticized coverage from ABC, arguing that the network’s reporting amounts to political bias while pursuing multiple legal actions related to previous coverage. The public showdown over media bias and free-speech boundaries has been a recurring theme in Trump's political and legal strategy.

The late-night programming dispute around Kimmel has also touched other broadcasters and networks. ABC announced last week that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be preempted indefinitely in the wake of remarks attributed to Kimmel about a prominent conservative commentator. Reports, including notes from Nexstar Media, indicated that several affiliates threatened to drop Kimmel’s show if the network did not address the criticisms. The episode intensified a broader debate about the boundaries of satire, political comment, and the consequences for broadcasters in a highly polarized media environment.

In response to the controversy surrounding Kimmel, the ACLU and a coalition of film, television, and theater figures—including Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Ben Affleck, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep—joined in a public letter defending free expression. The letter argued that government threats to the livelihood of journalists and entertainers undermine fundamental rights and urged continued protection of speech across the industry. The signatories emphasized that unity on free-speech principles remains essential regardless of political affiliation, and called on Americans to defend constitutional rights.

In the days that followed, Disney, which oversees ABC, said it would reverse an initially announced indefinite hiatus tied to the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks. The reversal was noted as lawmakers and industry groups debated the limits of satire and political commentary on network television. Executives at Sinclair and Nexstar also pressed for accountability, with some indicating they would withhold airing Kimmel’s show until the network and producers addressed the concerns raised about the remarks.

With Kimmel’s return date approaching, uncertainty remains about whether he will address the past remarks on air. While some observers expect an apology or redress, others note that the broader context involves ongoing tensions between political discourse, media accountability, and corporate responses to public controversy. Trump’s latest comments suggest he will continue to scrutinize ABC’s actions, including both past settlements and current programming moves, as part of a broader strategy to challenge the network’s handling of political content.