Donald Trump blasts ABC for reinstating Jimmy Kimmel, threatens legal action

Just less than an hour before Jimmy Kimmel Live! made its comeback on screen, after a weeklong suspension, President Donald Trump did what appears to be slamming ABC over its decision to bring back the Jimmy Kimmel show.

American broadcasting network ABC took down Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 17, 2025, for an indefinite period following Jimmy Kimmel's insensitive remarks about the death of 31-year-old conservative Charlie Kirk.

However, the Walt Disney Company announced the return of Kimmel’s show on air on Tuesday, September 23, after “thoughtful conversations.”

Before Kimmel’s monologue went on air, Donald Trump took to social media platform Truth Social to share he was dismayed by ABC’s decision and hinted he would file a lawsuit against the network.

He said, “I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his "talent" was never there."
He continued, "Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who's not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE."

Donald Trump, in the same post, called Kimmel “another arm” of the Democratic National Committee and said, “To the best of my knowledge, that would be a major illegal campaign contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad ratings.”

Trump referred to the March 2024 lawsuit against ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos over questions regarding E. Jean Carrol, whom juries found the president liable for sexually abusing and defaming.

In December, ABC News agreed to a $15 million settlement, according to Reuters.