Jimmy Kimmel has responded to comments made by President Donald Trump regarding his return to air on ABC. The late-night host’s suspension was lifted on Tuesday, prompting Trump to express his displeasure on Truth Social. Trump stated that he couldn’t believe ABC had given Kimmel his job back, to which Kimmel retorted, “You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe we gave you your job back!”
Trump also claimed that Kimmel’s show puts the network in jeopardy by airing “99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.” He further implied that he was considering taking legal action against ABC, referencing a $16 million settlement he received from Paramount in July. However, it appears that Trump conflated separate networks, as the settlement was related to a different matter.
Kimmel addressed Trump’s comments on his show, stating that the president’s threats against ABC were not joking matters. He also referenced the settlement, which was criticized by First Amendment and press freedom advocates. Kimmel noted that Trump’s approval ratings have been low, with multiple polls showing that 55 to 56 percent of people view him unfavorably.
The late-night host also addressed critics who believe he is too hard on Trump, explaining that he speaks out against the president because he is a “bully.” Kimmel stated that he doesn’t like bullies and that Trump’s behavior is reminiscent of an “old-fashioned ’80s movie style bully.” He also joked about Trump’s demand for an investigation into a stopped escalator at the United Nations, saying that the president is more concerned with that issue than with releasing the Epstein files.
Kimmel’s return to air comes after a highly publicized suspension, which was lifted just hours after Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr threatened ABC’s broadcasting license. The incident has raised concerns about free speech and the potential for government interference in the media. Kimmel’s show has consistently drawn high ratings, with 1.77 million viewers in the second quarter of this year, making it one of the most-watched late-night shows in its time slot.