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Donald Trump has threatened to sue ABCafter Jimmy Kimmel Live! was reinstated this week.
The U.S. president wasn’t pleased at the news, saying Kimmel should be left to “rot” after comments he made about the gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel was suspended for just under a week after linking Kirk’s assassin to MAGA, despite the alleged gunman reportedly having left-leaning beliefs.
- Donald Trump threatened to sue ABC after 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' was reinstated following a brief suspension.
- Kimmel was suspended for linking Charlie Kirk’s assassin to MAGA despite the gunman’s left-leaning beliefs.
- Trump accused Kimmel of being a Democratic tool and claimed his TV appearance could be an illegal campaign contribution.
- Kimmel returned to the air with a standing ovation and defended free speech, expressing regret for any offense caused.
Donald Trump suggested he could file a lawsuit against ABC
Image credits: The White House
Disney-owned ABC faced intense backlash for the indefinite suspension, and Kimmel returned to the air on Tuesday.
But Trump insisted that ABC told the White House Kimmel’s show had been canceled, and said he will look at suing the network.
“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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. 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.”
Image credits: Jimmy Kimmel Live
Trump accused Kimmel of being “another arm” of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which is the leadership board of the Democratic Party.
He further said Kimmel appearing on TV, to the “best” of his knowledge, “would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.”
Trump cited those claims as the basis for a potential lawsuit against the broadcaster, referencing a previous settlement agreed with ABC.
“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. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings,” Trump wrote.
Image credits: Donald J Trump
ABC agreed to pay Trump $15 million last year after host George Stephanopoulos incorrectly said he had been found “liable for rape” when he was found liable for sexual abuse.
Kimmel’s return to TV came after Trump suggested that networks that constantly criticize him should “maybe” have their licenses revoked by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Trump-appointed chair of the FCC, Brendan Carr, last week suggested that the watchdog could take action against ABC if Kimmel was not reprimanded for his Kirk comments.
Kimmel made comments about Kirk’s assassin last week
Not a big fan of Jimmy Kimmel, but if you think his show should be canceled for this, you’re a hack and a total fraud who should never pretend to care about free speech pic.twitter.com/FSiktbva6y
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 17, 2025
As he returned to the air Tuesday, Kimmel was greeted with extensive applause and a standing ovation from his studio audience.
The host opened his monologue by saying he was happy to be back, but he wasn’t sure who had a weirder 48 hours—him or the CEO of Tylenol.
He defended free speech, saying the government “cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.”
Kimmel went on to address the recent backlash and said he never intended to make light of Kirk’s murder.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of a murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said as he became visibly emotional.
Image credits: Jimmy Kimmel Live
“I posted a message on Instagram the day he was killed sending love to his family and asking for compassion, I meant it and I still do.”
“I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset,” Kimmel added.
“If the situation was reversed, I’d have felt the same way. I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to even though we don’t agree on politics at all.
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This is a sick person who believes violence is a solution, and it isn’t, ever.”
Kimmel also touched on Kirk’s memorial service Sunday, attended by Trump and several administration figures.
He noted how Kirk’s widow, Erika, had told the thousands of people gathered that she had forgiven her husband’s killer, and described it as a “beautiful moment.”
“She forgave him. That is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace.
“Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that.”
While Kimmel was returned to the air, Nexstar, one of the biggest TV owners in the U.S., and Sinclair, which operates ABC stations in 30 markets, both said they would not air the show.
Kimmel said during his monologue that some affiliates who run his show had been coerced to take it off the air, describing it as “un-American” and “dangerous.”
He also slammed FCC chair Carr for his comments threatening to take action against broadcasters airing Kimmel’s show.
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