President Trump criticized ABC on Tuesday night for bringing back comedian Jimmy Kimmel, after the network had seemingly canceled his show just the week before. He hinted at the possibility of taking action against the network.
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News has reinstated Jimmy Kimmel. The White House was informed that his show was done,” Trump remarked. “Since his audience has vanished and his ‘talent’ was never really there, something changed between then and now. Why would they risk their network with such unfunny, poor content that’s 99% pro-Democrat?”
Trump further claimed that Kimmel is “just another branch of the DNC, and this could actually be a significant illegal campaign contribution.”
“I think we’re going to challenge ABC on this. Let’s see how it goes. The last time I paid attention to them, they gave me $16 million, which sounds rather profitable,” he added.
Kimmel is expected to return to late-night television on Tuesday night. Just a week after his brief hiatus, conservatives are amusingly noting Trump’s comments about them trying to gain “political points” from the assassination of Charlie Kirk, alongside Trump making jokes about “a four-year-old kid moans the Goldfish.”
Trump and his allies have strongly criticized Kimmel’s comments, raising concerns within various quarters, including from the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Disney has labeled Kimmel’s remarks regarding Kirk’s murder as “abhorrent and insensitive,” suggesting that the network brought him back to avoid further aggravating an already tense situation.
No indication has been given if Kimmel plans to apologize for his remarks upon his return.
Additionally, some ABC affiliates will not air his show after two local station owners declared they wouldn’t be broadcasting it.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns numerous ABC affiliates across the nation, stated the decision concerning Kimmel relates to “ensuring all parties maintain a commitment to fostering constructive dialogue that respects the markets we serve.”
Sinclair also mentioned they are “in ongoing discussions with ABC regarding the potential return of the show.”
