President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of late‑night host Jimmy Kimmel following a series of tweets from former First Lady Melania Trump. On his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Disney and ABC to fire Kimmel, describing the host’s program as “terrible” and claiming it suffers from poor television ratings.
Kimmel responded on his show, highlighting a recent poll that placed Trump’s approval rating at a historic low of 34 percent. “If presiding over the lowest ratings in history is a reason to be fired, then we should both be out of a job,” Kimmel said. He noted that talk‑show viewership has declined over the past decade, but pointed out that Jimmy Kimmel Live! is currently positioned to lead the late‑night ratings after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert concludes its final episode on May 21.
During the segment, Kimmel made a historical reference, joking that “if FDR had taken to the airwaves during the Battle of the Bulge to complain about a Little Orphan Annie comic strip he didn’t like, it would have seemed absurd.” He added that Trump appears to be engaged in three “wars” – with Iran, Ukraine, and comedians.
The show also aired a compilation of Trump’s campaign remarks in which he repeatedly advocated for free speech while condemning “censorship” and “cancel culture.” This follows previous instances in which Trump’s comments have been cited by Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr in discussions about media regulation.
Kimmel concluded by stating, “I hate to say this and I hope it doesn’t get me in trouble: I’m starting to think Donald Trump might be a hypocrite.” The exchange underscores the ongoing tension between the former president and media personalities, a dynamic that continues to shape public discourse in the United States.
