Trump Calls Jimmy Kimmel 'Fired' After ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! Over Controversial Monologue
President Donald Trump weighed in on ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, claiming at a U.K. press conference that host Jimmy Kimmel was “fired” over “bad ratings” and a “lack of talent,” rather than for comments made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Donald Trump says Jimmy Kimmel was “fired for lack of talent” after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following remarks on Charlie Kirk.
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ABC announced on Wednesday evening that the late-night program, which has run for 22 years, would be “preempted indefinitely.” The decision followed Kimmel’s Monday monologue, where he criticized reactions from Trump supporters to the arrest of the young man accused of killing Kirk.
Trump, addressing reporters alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said, “Kimmel is not a talented person; he has very bad ratings more than anything else, and they should have fired him a long time ago.” He reiterated similar remarks he had posted earlier on Truth Social.
The comments mischaracterized ABC’s action, which suspended the show but did not announce Kimmel’s dismissal. No evidence was provided by Trump to support his claims that ratings or comments about Kirk caused the network’s move.
During Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel told viewers that “many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” adding that conservatives were attempting to score political points from the tragedy. He also criticized efforts to distance the accused shooter from far-right groups.
Kimmel’s remarks initially drew little public backlash until FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, speaking on a podcast, called the comments “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested potential avenues of investigation. Soon after, momentum grew around ABC’s decision to remove the show from its lineup.
The suspension comes amid a series of media-related controversies since Trump began his second term in office. Network television executives have faced increasing scrutiny, with Trump’s administration and FCC exerting pressure on broadcasters. Paramount previously canceled CBS’s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, a move the network described as financial, though it came soon after legal disputes with Trump were settled.
Kimmel’s case follows other media suspensions and firings this week, including Matthew Dowd’s departure from MSNBC and the exit of Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, both linked to commentary surrounding Charlie Kirk. Observers note that the developments reflect growing tensions over free speech in political media coverage.
At Thursday’s press conference, Trump also echoed Vice President J.D. Vance’s earlier warnings about threats to free expression, stating: “It’s so imperative that we stand together for these fundamental rights.” He added that many in the U.K., including Starmer, had offered condolences over Kirk’s death. Trump is scheduled to attend a memorial service for Kirk on Sunday.
