Former President Donald Trump has sparked yet another media frenzy with his recent demand for the removal of Jimmy Kimmel from television. This call came via Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he criticized ABC and its late-night host, stating Kimmel has “NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS.” His blunt declaration, “Get the bum off the air!!!” is emblematic of Trump’s confrontational style.
The timing of Trump’s outburst aligns closely with a recent airing of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, during which Kimmel made light of Trump’s dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The comedian quipped about Trump’s loyalty among Republicans and raised eyebrows with remarks on Trump’s connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Kimmel asked pointedly, “What did the president know, and how old were these women when he knew it?” This jab pointed to the recently mandated release of Epstein-related documents, which have dogged Trump for years.
In his Truth Social post, Trump condemned the media coverage surrounding Epstein, labeling it as “totally biased.” He has maintained a fierce denial of any wrongdoing related to Epstein, characterizing inquiries into the matter as a politically motivated attack, a stance he reiterated by calling it “ABC Fake News.” Trump’s consistent framing of media narratives as tainted is a tactic he has employed to rally supporters who share his skepticism toward mainstream news outlets.
This latest clash exacerbates a long-running feud between Trump and Kimmel, punctuated by barbs and accusations over the years. Trump’s animosity toward critical media has been well-documented. During his presidency, he openly suggested that some networks, including ABC, should lose their licenses due to what he perceived as pervasive dishonesty in reporting. His response to Kimmel’s humor has often been amplified by concerns that the comedian embodies a broader hostile media landscape.
Trump’s criticisms also tap into broader cultural tensions surrounding the media, particularly at ABC and its corporate parent, The Walt Disney Company. The contention reached a critical juncture in 2025 when ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following a contentious monologue from Kimmel about Trump. Although Kimmel returned quickly, the incident instigated boycotts and advertiser withdrawals, as well as a notable dip in Disney’s stock value. This led to disputes over free speech and the economic implications of political commentary on network programming.
What follows is a playbook for Trump — employing social media to challenge media figures, exerting public pressure, and advocating for regulatory actions against perceived biases. During his presidency, he even instructed officials to investigate the possibility of revoking broadcast licenses of networks he deemed unfriendly. Such calls have resurfaced amidst the recent firestorm, particularly with new claims suggesting ABC has promoted “deliberate hoaxes” since 2017.
The tension escalated when Kimmel ridiculed Trump’s political gatherings, labeling one such event as an “alumni dinner for the legion of doom,” deriding notable attendees, including Elon Musk and Stephen Miller. Kimmel’s quips regarding Trump’s ties to the Epstein case further inflamed the situation, especially given the high stakes surrounding Epstein’s legacy and Trump’s actions that day.
Critics of Trump view his campaign against Kimmel as a continuation of a troubling trend. A prior suspension of Kimmel’s show was accompanied by threats and advertiser concerns, illustrating how political content in late-night formats has become a flashpoint of discussion. This demonstrates a precarious balance between comedy and criticism as the landscape of media and politics continues to intertwine.
Trump’s subsequent remarks have surfaced warnings from federal officials over ABC’s content, with some suggesting that late-night satire should fall under stricter regulations. The repercussions of such proposals are significant, given their implications for First Amendment rights and the role of humor in political discourse.
Supporters of Trump argue that the pervasive negative coverage he has received — with claims of over 90% of network news about him being critical during his presidency — justifies his confrontations with media figures like Kimmel. This narrative of alleged media bias resonates deeply with his base, reinforcing their perception of an adversarial relationship between Trump and the press.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has experienced varying ratings in recent years. A 2024 Nielsen report shows the show averaging 1.6 million viewers — modest compared to previous years, but aligned with rival programs like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Trump has leveraged these figures as evidence of Kimmel’s supposed failures, reinforcing his claims that Kimmel lacks credibility as a commentator. “He had bad ratings more than anything else,” Trump remarked in an interview, heightening the stakes in their ongoing feud.
The future of Kimmel’s show remains uncertain. Historical pressures from Trump and his allies have previously shifted programming decisions at networks. As Trump intensifies his pressure campaign while facing both re-election efforts and legal challenges, many speculate that drawing attention to media bias allows him to divert scrutiny from his ongoing issues. This tumultuous relationship highlights the blurred boundaries between media, politics, and entertainment.
Currently, Kimmel maintains his presence on air, and the tug-of-war between Trump and the late-night comedian continues to make waves. How this saga unfolds, and what ramifications it holds for both parties, is yet to be seen.
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