President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, suggesting that the network should move quickly to remove him from the air. In a post on Truth Social Thursday morning, Trump questioned why ABC had not yet taken action, calling Kimmel “seriously unfunny” and claiming he oversees one of the lowest-rated programs on television. He added that public frustration was growing and warned that the network should act soon.
Despite these remarks, Disney—the parent company of ABC—has shown no indication that it plans to respond to Trump’s demands. The company has remained silent on the issue and continues to support Kimmel, who is still under contract through next year. There have been no visible efforts by Disney or ABC to distance themselves from the comedian or alter the status of his show.
Later that same day, Trump reiterated his stance during an interview with Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren. He argued that Kimmel “shouldn’t be on television” and suggested that ABC could be putting itself at risk by continuing to broadcast his program. Trump also referenced his 2024 defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, which the network ultimately settled for $16 million to avoid the uncertainty of a trial. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation while pointing to that case as an example of the stakes involved.
Although Trump has frequently criticized Kimmel over the years, the most recent controversy stems from a joke Kimmel made about First Lady Melania Trump. During a segment last week, Kimmel described her as looking like an “expectant widow,” a remark that quickly drew backlash from pro-Trump media outlets. The criticism intensified in light of a shooting that occurred outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shortly afterward.
Kimmel addressed the backlash earlier this week on his show, explaining that the comment was intended as a lighthearted jab referencing the age difference between Donald and Melania Trump. He insisted that the joke had nothing to do with violence or any suggestion of harm, clarifying that it was about Trump’s age rather than anything more serious. Nonetheless, Kimmel continued to make pointed remarks about the couple, maintaining his comedic and political tone.
Melania Trump responded publicly on X, condemning the joke as “hateful and violent” and calling on ABC to take action against Kimmel. Her statement added further attention to the controversy and increased pressure on the network.
Amid the situation, the Federal Communications Commission took the unusual step of directing ABC to pursue early renewal of the broadcast licenses for several of its owned stations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr discussed the matter in a podcast, explaining that the agency has the authority to accelerate license reviews if there are concerns about whether a broadcaster is operating in the public interest. He noted that, if necessary, the FCC could move toward formal proceedings to evaluate a station’s qualifications.
Even with mounting criticism from Trump, his allies, and regulatory scrutiny, Kimmel appears unfazed. During his Tuesday show, he largely sidestepped direct discussion of the FCC’s actions. Instead, he delivered a satirical monologue focused on King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the White House, using the segment to highlight what he portrayed as inconsistencies in Trump’s own humor and public statements. Through this approach, Kimmel signaled that he intends to continue his show without significant changes despite the ongoing controversy.
