Trump Rips Into ABC for Ending Jimmy Kimmel Suspension: ‘A True Bunch of Losers’
President Donald Trump took direct aim at ABC on Tuesday for reinstating late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following a brief suspension, calling the network “a true bunch of losers” and hinting at possible legal action.
Kimmel returned to the air Tuesday night after being pulled off the air over remarks he made in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In a sharply worded Truth Social post, Trump blasted ABC for “caving” to pressure and restoring Kimmel despite what he described as dismal ratings and extreme partisan bias.
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote. “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 is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution,” Trump said. “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 Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative.”
Trump was referring to his previous legal victory against ABC, where he secured a $16 million settlement following a defamation case tied to statements made by George Stephanopoulos.
Kimmel had previously tried to link Kirk’s assassin to Trump’s MAGA base, despite law enforcement identifying the killer as a left-wing extremist who opposed Kirk’s conservative ideology. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said at the time.
His comments were widely condemned, including by FCC chair Brendan Carr, and led to his brief suspension. In his on-air return, Kimmel attempted to walk back the comments, saying it was never his intention to make light of the assassination or unfairly blame a group.
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said. “To those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset.”
Despite ABC’s decision to lift the suspension, major affiliates are refusing to air Kimmel’s show. Sinclair and Nexstar—two of the largest station owners in the country—have publicly stated that they will not broadcast new episodes. Together, they control nearly 80 ABC affiliates.
Sinclair is reportedly demanding that Kimmel offer a formal apology and contribute financially to Charlie Kirk’s family before reconsidering. Nexstar has called for a return to “respectful, constructive dialogue,” saying Kimmel’s remarks were unacceptable in the current climate. (RELATED: Shots Fired At ABC Affiliate By Suspected Leftist After Network Pulls Jimmy Kimmel)
Trump’s reaction underscores growing tension between his administration and corporate media outlets. “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings,” Trump concluded.