‎Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Record Ratings After Trump Criticism and Brief Suspension

By: Shawn
‎Jimmy Kimmel Live! has officially returned to the late-night lineup following a weeklong suspension, and the comeback drew the largest regular-episode audience in the show’s 22-year history.
‎
‎The host was greeted with thunderous applause and chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!” during his second show back on ABC. Kimmel opened with lighthearted preemption jokes and quipped about fellow network program The Golden Bachelor before shifting to his signature political humor, taking aim at President Donald Trump.
‎
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns after suspension, drawing record ratings as Trump attacks the host and ABC over his reinstatement.
‎Randy Holmes/Disney
‎
‎Trump had taken to his Truth Social platform to criticize ABC’s decision to reinstate the comedian. His post claimed the network was risking its credibility, calling Kimmel’s act unfunny and suggesting ABC’s move could amount to an “Illegal Campaign Contribution.” He ended his post with, “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”
‎
‎Kimmel responded during his monologue, remarking, “Only Donald Trump would try to prove that he’s not threatening ABC by threatening ABC.” He later underscored Trump’s remarks on ratings by displaying the president’s poor approval figures on screen.
‎
‎Even with nearly one-quarter of the country unable to watch due to affiliate blackouts, protests, and preemptions, Jimmy Kimmel Live! achieved its highest-ever viewership for a standard episode.
‎
‎The broadcast also featured a segment on Fox News host Jesse Watters’ so-called “escalator-gate,” a viral moment involving an apparent halt of a UN building escalator just as former First Lady Melania Trump and Donald Trump stepped onto it. The lighthearted coverage punctuated a monologue that balanced topical humor with sharp political commentary.
‎
‎Kimmel’s return followed a weeklong suspension tied to a controversial monologue referencing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and alleged shooter Tyler Robinson. The comments sparked backlash from some station owners and sponsors, particularly after Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr weighed in on the issue. ABC’s decision to briefly pull the show drew widespread debate, but mounting support for Kimmel and calls for free speech ultimately led to the program’s reinstatement.
‎
‎Jimmy Kimmel Live! now resumes its regular schedule with a record-setting audience and heightened national attention surrounding its host.

TRENDING!

Franklin Richards, son of Reed and Sue: Marvel's most powerful child unleashed

Image
‎Born to two of the Marvel Universe's most iconic heroes—Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman)—Franklin Richards was never going to be ordinary. But no one expected this. ‎ Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. ‎ 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios ‎ ‎From the moment he first opened his eyes in New York City, Franklin's destiny was intertwined with the cosmos. Not just another gifted child of superheroes, Franklin emerged as a mutant—or something more—with the ability to reshape existence itself. ‎ ‎His middle name, Benjamin, honors his godfather, Ben Grimm, and his first name, Franklin, pays tribute to his maternal grandfather. But make no mistake: Franklin Richards would earn a name that cosmic entities would fear to speak. ‎ ‎Powers Unleashed: Too Much for Earth to Handle ‎ ‎As a toddler, Franklin’s powers manifested with terrifying potential. When the alien tyrant Annihilus tried to siphon the child’...
Read more

Kamala Harris Accuses Trump Administration of Silencing Critics After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Image
‎Former Vice President Kamala Harris denounced the Trump administration after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel following his remarks on Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Harris described the suspension as part of an “assault on free speech,” emphasizing that fear was being used as a weapon to silence critics. ‎ ‎Kamala Harris blasts Trump administration over Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC suspension, calling it an “assault on free speech” amid political backlash. ‎Camille Cohen/AFP via Getty Images ‎ ‎Posting on X, Harris stated, “What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power,” without directly mentioning Kimmel. She warned that media outlets were caving under government pressure and urged Americans not to remain silent. ‎ ‎Her comments align with a growing number of political leaders and public figures raising alarms about threats to free expression. California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Republicans of orchestrating censorship, describing it as “coordinated” and “dangerous.” ‎ ‎Former...
Read more

‎Isabella Ladera Accuses Ex Beéle of Leaking Private Sex Video and Announces Legal Action

Image
‎Venezuelan influencer Isabella Ladera has accused Colombian singer Beéle, whose real name is Brandon de Jesús López Orozco, of leaking a private sex video without her consent. Ladera shared a detailed statement on Monday, confirming that she plans to take legal action against her former partner. ‎ ‎Isabella Ladera accuses singer Beéle of leaking a private sex video without consent, vowing legal action and speaking out for women’s dignity. ‎Gustavo Caballero/Billboard; Aldara Zarraoa/WireImage/Getty Images ‎ ‎The influencer described the incident as one of the most painful experiences of her life. She explained that the video had only been in the possession of herself and the singer, calling its release “one of the cruelest betrayals” she has endured. ‎ ‎Her statement also alleged that López Orozco had lied to her from the start of their relationship and had never attempted to protect her. She claimed the video was deliberately leaked during a period of personal recovery af...
Read more

‎Paris Berelc joins Asher Angel in Tubi's YA rom-com 'Kissing Is the Easy Part'

Image
‎Tubi’s upcoming young adult romantic comedy Kissing Is the Easy Part has officially expanded its cast, with Paris Berelc and Jennifer Robertson joining previously announced lead Asher Angel. Directed by filmmaker Fawzia Mirza, the feature film is an adaptation of Christine Duann’s popular Wattpad novel, which first debuted in 2015 and quickly gained a passionate fanbase. ‎ ‎ Paris Berelc (left) and Asher Angel. ‎Chad Salvador/Variety/Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images ‎ ‎Best known for her roles in Alexa & Katie and Do Revenge, Paris Berelc will not only star as Flora—an effortlessly cool student resisting the academic future her parents envision—but will also serve as an executive producer on the project. Flora's unexpected connection with her tutor Sean, played by Shazam! Fury of the Gods star Asher Angel, leads her to question both her stance on love and her own ambitions. ‎ ‎Jennifer Robertson, familiar to audiences from Ginny & Georgia and Schitt’s Cre...
Read more

‎'Materialists' review: Celine Song's sophisticated rom-com explores dating, wealth and emotional worth in modern NYC

Image
‎At first glance, the trailer for Materialists might provoke concern from fans of Past Lives. Could Celine Song, known for her nuanced exploration of memory and longing, really be behind what appears to be a glossy, conventional romantic comedy? Fortunately, the answer is far more compelling. Song’s second feature is a smart, layered dissection of love, ambition, and class in the modern urban dating scene — a film as emotionally resonant as it is aesthetically stylish. ‎ ‎ Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in 'Materialists.' ‎Atsushi Nishijima/A24 ‎ ‎Set in New York City, Materialists follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a high-end matchmaker at Adore, an elite agency catering to the city’s wealthiest singles. While the concept might suggest lighthearted matchmaking antics, Song treats Lucy’s work with realism and emotional weight, drawing from her own past experiences in the industry. Lucy is not just navigating the needs of her wealthy clients; she’s also contending with ...
Read more

'Orphan' Review: László Nemes' Post-War Coming-of-Age Drama Explores Trauma, Identity, and Family Secrets in 1950s Budapest

Image
‎The impact of war on families has long provided powerful narratives for cinema, where trauma lingers and fractured identities shape the lives of survivors. Orphan (Árva), the latest feature from Hungarian filmmaker László Nemes, continues this tradition with a deeply personal coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of post-war Central Europe. ‎ ‎Bojtorján Barabás in 'Orphan.' ‎Courtesy of Pioneer Pictures/Good Chaos ‎ ‎Following his Oscar-winning debut Son of Saul and the visually demanding Sunset, Nemes crafts a drama inspired by his father’s childhood in 1950s Budapest. The film begins with a post-war prologue in which young Jewish boy Andor, played by Tibor Martin Lobbert, is reunited with his mother Klára (Andrea Waskovics) after years in an orphanage. Their fragile bond is tested by absence, memory, and the unspoken loss of his father during the Holocaust. ‎ ‎The narrative shifts to 1957, shortly after Hungary’s failed uprising against Soviet control. Ant...
Read more

'Superman' review: James Gunn's Superman balances charm with chaos

Image
Superman (2025) arrives burdened by expectations few films would want to carry. More than just another iteration of a classic comic book character, this marks the foundational step for a newly minted cinematic universe from DC Studios. At the center of this endeavor stands James Gunn, who not only directs but also pens the screenplay. Following his success with Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy series and DC's The Suicide Squad, Gunn was tapped to set the tone for Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest superhero venture. Under CEO David Zaslav, who has aggressively reshaped the studio’s strategy by shelving and selling off completed content, Superman’s commercial success may prove pivotal for the entire DC Universe slate titled “Gods and Monsters.” ‎ ‎ James Gunn’s Superman (2025) delivers strong performances and vibrant visuals but stumbles with overcrowded plotting and rushed franchise setup. ‎Warner Bros. ‎ ‎DC’s previous shared universe collapsed under the weight of inc...
Read more

Trump signs One Big Beautiful Bill: Here's what it means for your money and taxes

Image
‎President Donald Trump signed the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) into law Friday, launching a new era of American economic policy. Spanning nearly 1,000 pages, the legislation overhauls federal tax rates, student loan programs, estate tax exemptions, and social safety net spending. Economists say the effects of the bill will ripple across every income bracket—yet not equally. ‎ ‎ Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill reshapes taxes, student loans, estate law, and Medicaid—learn how it affects your money and financial future. ‎Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo ‎ ‎Financial experts warn that while high-income households and top 1% earners stand to gain significantly, low- and middle-income Americans could face rising costs and reduced benefits. The bill also adds between $3.1 and $3.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, according to estimates from the Penn Wharton Budget Model. ‎ ‎Tax Cuts Made Permanent for Individuals and Estates ‎ ‎Provisions from the 2017 T...
Read more

Apple TV+ Renews 'The Morning Show' for Season 5 Ahead of Season 4 Premiere

Image
‎Apple TV+ has officially renewed The Morning Show for a fifth season, confirming the continuation of its Emmy-winning drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. The announcement arrived just hours before the premiere of season four, which debuts on Wednesday. ‎ Apple TV+ renews The Morning Show for season 5 with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, just before season 4 premieres this week. ‎Apple TV+ ‎ ‎The series, set within the high-stakes world of a fictional TV newsroom, remains one of Apple TV+’s flagship originals. Showrunner Charlotte Stoudt and director/executive producer Mimi Leder will return for the upcoming season, ensuring creative consistency behind the scenes. ‎ ‎Matt Cherniss, head of programming at Apple TV+, praised the production team and cast, stating that The Morning Show has captivated audiences since its debut. He credited Aniston, Witherspoon, Stoudt, and Leder for delivering compelling storytelling that continues to resonate globally...
Read more

Tom Holland teases 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' will take fans back to where it all began

Image
‎Tom Holland has revealed new details about the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hinting that the upcoming fourth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man saga will signal a creative reset. Holland described the project as a refreshing shift, both narratively and visually, emphasizing a return to the fundamentals of traditional filmmaking. ‎ Tom Holland teases Spider-Man: Brand New Day will revive classic filmmaking. ‎ Matt Kennedy/Sony Pictures Releasing/Marvel Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection ‎ ‎During an appearance on the YouTube series Flip Your Wig, Holland shared his enthusiasm about reprising the role of Peter Parker, especially after the emotionally charged finale of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Following that storyline, Parker now exists in anonymity, with even his closest friends unaware of his identity. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the last film’s production, Holland expressed excitement about leaving behind the con...
Read more