Trump Renews Call for ABC to Fire Jimmy Kimmel, Calling Late-Night Host ‘Seriously Unfunny’
Reflecto News | Media & Politics | U.S.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump escalated his long-running feud with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, demanding that ABC fire the comedian and claiming that “people are angry” over Kimmel’s recent jokes about First Lady Melania Trump.
“When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television?” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “People are angry. It better be soon!!!”
The post marks Trump’s latest salvo in his ongoing campaign against the ABC host, which intensified following a joke Kimmel made about Melania Trump just days before an assassination attempt on the president .
💥 The Joke That Ignited the Latest Feud
The current clash stems from a parody Kimmel delivered last Thursday, in which he remarked that First Lady Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow” .
The joke preceded a weekend assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen attempted to storm the ballroom before being apprehended by police .
Although the joke was made before the shooting occurred, the clip did not go viral until after it. In the wake of the incident, both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for ABC to fire Kimmel, with Melania describing the joke as “hateful and violent rhetoric” .
Kimmel appeared unfazed by the backlash. On Monday night’s episode, he explained that the joke was not a call for violence as many claimed, insisting he was simply poking fun at Trump’s age .
📺 The Ratings Reality: ‘Lowest Rated’ Claim Contradicts Data
Trump’s assertion that Kimmel “incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television” contradicts available ratings data.
According to Nielsen figures cited by ABC:
- “Jimmy Kimmel Live” ranked No. 1 in late-night among adults 18-49 for the third week in a row as of March 2026, taking the top spot for six of the last seven weeks .
- The show has delivered double-digit increases year-over-year in both total viewers (+22%) and adults 18-49 (+45%) .
- Season-to-date, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is up 20% in total viewers and 20% in the key adult demographic versus the previous season .
- The show’s YouTube channel has earned over 281 million views in 2026, with nightly monologues averaging over 4.4 million views each .
Kimmel emerged as the No. 1 talk show in the key 18-49 demographic during the fall season, while CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” led in total viewers .
The show has seen its most-watched fall since 2020, boosted this season by the return of NFL Monday Night Football to ABC’s full-time lineup .
🛡️ ABC Stands by Kimmel Despite Pressure
Despite Trump’s demands for termination, ABC appears to be firmly standing by its late-night host.
CNN’s Brian Stelter reported on Tuesday that Disney is “absolutely standing by Kimmel” and that “behind the scenes there have also been signals to Kimmel and to his team that the company is with him, that the company is not wavering, that the company is not going to try to knuckle or maybe cower in the face of Trump’s pressure” .
Stelter noted that the dynamics have shifted significantly from Kimmel’s previous clash with the Trump administration last fall, when he was suspended from ABC. At that time, station groups with ties to the administration pulled Kimmel’s show locally. This time, Stelter said, those station owners “haven’t done a thing,” giving Kimmel “all the power” in the feud .
Kimmel’s contract was extended through the 2026-2027 season, meaning Trump’s foe will be able to roast him on air for at least another year . His previous deal was set to end in May 2026.
🔄 A Years-Long Battle
Trump and Kimmel have exchanged barbs for years. Kimmel has relentlessly targeted the president in his comedy, and a September 2025 incident saw Kimmel suspended by ABC after commenting on the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk .
Following his return, Kimmel’s monologue became his most-watched in years, garnering over 21 million views on YouTube alone. Kimmel thanked Trump for the attention, saying: “We couldn’t have done it without you, Mr. President. Thank you very much” .
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Trump’s Demand | Fire Jimmy Kimmel due to “seriously unfunny” comedy and Melania Trump joke |
| The Joke | Kimmel said Melania had “the glow of an expectant widow” days before Trump assassination attempt |
| Ratings Reality | “JKL” ranks No. 1 in key demo; up double-digits YoY; most-watched fall since 2020 |
| ABC’s Position | Standing by Kimmel; recently extended his contract |
| Contract Status | Extended through 2026-2027 season |
| Previous Suspension | Kimmel was suspended after Charlie Kirk comments; later reinstated |
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