Trump criticizes ABC for letting Jimmy Kimmel come back

Mr. Trump criticized ABC for reinstating Jimmy Kimmel, after the host caused outrage with his comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

“I can’t believe that fake news ABC still gave Jimmy Kimmel a job. ABC previously told the White House that Kimmel’s show was canceled. What happened between then and now, when his audience is gone and his talent has never been there. Why would a network want someone who is incompetent, humorless, and puts their network in jeopardy by airing 99% garbage that flatters the Democrats?” US President Donald Trump posted on the social network Truth Social on September 23.

Mr. Trump also accused Kimmel of belonging to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and that his television appearance was an illegal aid to the party’s election campaign. The US President threatened to sue ABC.

“I think we’re going to try ABC on this one. Just wait and see. Last time I sued them, they gave me $16 million. This sounds easier,” Mr. Trump threatened.

Kimmel returned to his ABC late-night talk show on September 23, a week after being suspended for controversial comments about the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.

On his first night back on television, Kimmel balanced his usual comedic style with more restraint to handle the wave of outrage aimed at him.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a person. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said, choking up, adding that he had no intention of blaming any group for the actions of “an individual who was clearly severely mentally disturbed.”

The host previously faced criticism for saying conservatives were trying to score points from Kirk’s assassination and jokingly compared President Trump’s mourning for Kirk to “a child mourning a fish.”

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr described Kimmel’s comments as “unprecedentedly bad behavior.” He suggested the FCC could revoke the licenses of ABC-affiliated stations as a way to force them to punish Kimmel. Two local ABC-affiliated stations have stopped airing Kimmel’s show.