Donald Trump celebrated on social media on Wednesday that ABC had taken Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air. He also praised ABC for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He called the late-night host “zero talent.” In his post, Trump said that the show had “ratings challenged” and even said that it didn’t have as many viewers as Stephen Colbert’s show.
What Caused the Suspension: Kimmel’s Speech and the Backlash
The choice was made after Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial monologue in which he said that the #MAGA movement was trying to make the case of Tyler Robinson, 22, who was arrested for killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, into a political one. It was said by Kimmel that some political groups were trying to paint Robinson in a positive way.
Nexstar, a big ABC affiliate, said it would not carry the show “for the foreseeable future” after the monologue. ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be interrupted for good.
Government Backlash and Fears for Free Speech
The trouble didn’t just happen on TV networks. Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), called Kimmel’s comments “the sickest possible” and warned that stations could lose their licenses if they don’t change their ways.
At the same time, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez—the only Democrat—talked about her worries that the Trump administration is using its power to silence legal speech, saying that the limits of free speech are being set by officials instead of the people.
In a broader sense, TV shows, ratings, and political unrest
The move by ABC comes just a few weeks after CBS said that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in 2026 because of budget issues and problems caused by criticizing the government.
Donald Trump has been mean to Jimmy Kimmel for a long time, mostly because of his monologues that make fun of the president and his followers. Not only did Trump attack NBC and hosts like Seth Meyers on social media, but he also said that their numbers were “horrible” and that they were “total losers.”
What to Watch Next
- Whether ABC officially cancels Jimmy Kimmel Live! or brings it back after an internal study or backlash from the public.
- Whether the FCC actually takes action to take away stations’ licenses or punish them in some other way for airing the show.
- What this means for other late-night talk shows, especially those that are critical of the current government.
- In the U.S., the rules for free speech and the media have legal and political effects.
