Former US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 23/9, "Unbelievable that fake news ABC is still employing Jimmy Kimmel. ABC previously told the White House that Kimmel’s show was canceled. What happened between then and now, with his ratings nonexistent and talent never there. Why would a network want a person who is so untalented, unfunny, and puts their network in jeopardy of being sued 99% of the time for broadcasting Democratic talking points garbage?"
 |
Jimmy Kimmel continued to host his late-night talk show on 23/9. Photo: AP |
Jimmy Kimmel continued to host his late-night talk show on 23/9. Photo: AP
Trump also accused Kimmel of being part of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and claimed his return to television was illegal campaign support for the Democratic party. He threatened to sue ABC.
"I think we’ll give ABC a shot on this one. Just wait and see. The last time I sued them, they paid me $16 million. This one sounds even easier," Trump threatened.
Kimmel returned to his late-night talk show on ABC on 23/9, a week after being suspended for controversial remarks about the fictional assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.
On his first night back, Kimmel balanced his usual comedic style with a more restrained approach to address the backlash.
"I never meant to make light of the fictional killing of anyone. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it," a choked-up Kimmel said, adding that he did not intend to blame any group for the actions "of one obviously very seriously mentally disturbed individual".
The host had previously drawn criticism for saying conservatives were trying to capitalize on the fictional assassination of Kirk and joking that Trump mourning Kirk was like "a child mourning a goldfish".
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr described Kimmel's remarks as "unprecedentedly vile". He suggested the FCC could revoke the licenses of ABC affiliates as a way to force them to punish Kimmel. Two local ABC affiliates stopped airing Kimmel's show.
Ngoc Anh (Hill, AP, NBC)
