Trump threatens to sue ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden return to air
Former president escalates clash with ABC as Jimmy Kimmel resumes his show after a brief pull, citing past litigation and alleged misconduct.
President Donald Trump on Truth Social threatened to sue ABC over Jimmy Kimmel Live! returning to air, contending that Kimmel’s inflammatory remarks about Charlie Kirk could amount to an illegal campaign contribution and calling the host and the network a “true bunch of losers.” He said he planned to test ABC in court as Kimmel prepared to return to the air.
Kimmel’s return to the program came Tuesday night after ABC briefly pulled the show for about a week, a pause Trump bemoaned in multiple posts as the late-night host addressed his audience. The network did not immediately comment on the legal threat, and there was no independent confirmation of any forthcoming lawsuit.
The episode adds another chapter to a long-running public dispute between Trump and ABC. Trump has previously pursued litigation against ABC News, filing a defamation suit in early 2024; ABC News later settled for about $15 million. In his posts, Trump argued that the network had revived Kimmel’s program despite what he described as harmful, pro-Democratic content and suggested the move could be leveraged for political advantage.
“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!” Trump wrote in one message. In others, he characterized Kimmel’s return as a mistake, saying, “Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.” He amplified the criticism with another quip: “A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”
As Kimmel resumed hosting, supporters and critics alike watched for how the network would handle the renewed attention and whether Trump would pursue any legal action. The timing comes amid heightened scrutiny of media coverage in political circles and ongoing debates over how entertainment programs intersect with public discourse and campaign activity. The White House declined to comment publicly on the dispute, and ABC did not provide a public update in the notes accompanying Trump’s posts.
The clash underscores a broader pattern in which former President Trump has repeatedly attacked media outlets and personalities over coverage deemed unfavorable, sometimes tying the disputes to fundraising and political messaging. While the legal threats have raised questions about potential implications for press freedom and corporate governance, there has been no independent confirmation of any lawsuit being filed. The Kimmel program, which has long featured political commentary and guest appearances from notable figures, continues to be a focal point for this ongoing friction between a major network and a prominent political figure.
