President Donald Trumpwasted little Muara Digital Team celebrating the “indefinite”suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the ABC program was taken off the air due to remarks host Kimmel made about thelate Charlie Kirk.
“Good news for America. The ratings struggling Jimmy Kimmel show has been cancelled. Congratulations to ABC for finally showing the bravery needed to make the necessary decision,” Trump stated on Wednesday night, just after Kimmel’s suspension was announced. Trump continued to mentionthe cancellation of The Late Show featuring Stephen Colbert, which was revealed in July, and called on other late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers to face the same outcome.
The consequences have been quick and widespread. Kimmel’s fellow late-night hosts haveralliedbehind him, firmly supporting what they believe is his right to free expression, as have multiple celebrity guests who have appeared on his program since it first aired in 2003.
Read More: Trump Comments on Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension During Visit to the U.K.
Several Democratic representatives have also expressed worries about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr’s effort to indefinitely halt the program, as well as his later remarks that the FCC is “not finished” with modifications in “the media landscape.” In fact, Carr has already indicated he is keen to “examine” other programs, suchThe View, to determine if they “still meet the criteria for legitimate news programs and [are] therefore excluded from the equal opportunity rules established by Congress.”
Following the fatal shootingof the prominent conservative activist Kirk, and as the police keep investigating the specific motivations ofsuspect Tyler Robinson, the divide between individuals with contrasting political views appears to be increasing. Considering Trump’s comments during Kimmel’s show, and with him and Vice President J.D. Vance promoting acrackdownagainst what they see as the “far-left,” some critics are blaming the Trump administrationof censorship.
Although the discussion has grown well beyond Trump and Kimmel, their ongoing conflict remains a central topic, with roots that go back long before the suspension of Kimmel’s show. While Kimmel, like many other late-night hosts, frequently criticizes Trump and other politicians in his opening monologue, there have been instances where their clashes have gone beyond the television screen.
Here is a glimpse at some of the prior occasions when Trump and Kimmel had intense and public interactions.
October 2015: Kimmel humorously targets Trump for canceling a late-night appearance, but eventually they have a conversation.
During Trump’s initial presidential campaign, the then-Republican candidate was scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s talk show but canceled at the last moment, as reported by the host.
Last night, his team called and canceled on us. They didn’t give a clear reason for his cancellation. They mentioned he had a significant political obligation, but he asked me to tell you that if he had been here, he would have done well,” Kimmel said. “But don’t worry, tonight we’re going to give everyone in the audience a basketball coated in perfume so you can fully feel what it would have been like if Donald Trump had been here.
Trump appearedon the program two months later, with the two appearing to get along despite previous indications of tension.
September 2017: Kimmel criticizes Trump regarding healthcare in the United States.
Kimmel criticised Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who first coinedthe “Jimmy Kimmel test” in May 2017 as a reaction tocriticisms from the comedianover access to healthcare for individuals with pre-existing conditions and suggested modifications to availability under the Trump Administration, includingthe Graham-Cassidy bill.
Shortly after Kimmel’s remarks, Trump postedI wouldn’t have signed the Graham-Cassidy bill if it didn’t cover pre-existing conditions. It does! A strong piece of legislation. Repeal and replace.
In response, Kimmel accusedTrump signed a bill to remove Barack Obama’s name from healthcare legislation.
Donald Trump isn’t focused on the Graham-Cassidy bill. His main goal is to eliminate Obamacare, which he strongly opposes, largely because it’s associated with Obama’s name,” Kimmel claimed. “At this stage, he would approve any measure if it meant removing Obamacare.
February 2018: Kimmel speaks out against the Trump administration regarding gun safety regulations
Following a mass shooting at Parkland High School in Florida that resulted in 17 fatalities,Kimmel issued an explicit appealRegarding Trump, what were his thoughts on the steps required to tackle gun violence in the United States?
Kimmel initially showed his audience a video of Trump responding to the shooting, during which the President stated: “No parent should feel afraid for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodnight in the morning.”
“Here’s how you can fix this… inform your colleagues in Congress… all the family men who claim to care deeply about their communities, that what we require are genuine laws that make every effort to prevent assault rifles from falling into the hands of those who will harm our children. Go on television and urge them to take this action,” Kimmel stated.
After the audience clapped, the comedian added, “That’s a great example of the common sense you [Trump] claimed you’d bring to the White House… Don’t let anyone tell you it’s ‘too soon to discuss,’ you make that claim after every tragic school shooting… kids are being killed.”
March 2024: Trump gives a tough assessment of Kimmel’s skills as an Oscar host during the show. Kimmel then reads it live on television.
As the 2024 Oscars ceremony drew to a close, the returning host Kimmel announcedthat he wished to present a “review” of his own performance. However, it did not originate from one of the hundreds of television critics closely following the show, but rather came from another source.from Trump.
“Has there ever been a worse host at the Oscars than Jimmy Kimmel? His opening was like that of an average person trying too hard to be someone he isn’t and never will be,” Kimmel said, reading from Trump’s social media post on his phone.
Trump concluded his underwhelming review with his signature “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Kimmel responded, alluding to Trump’s well-known public momentshush-money trial.Thank you for watching,” he said. “I’m surprised you’re still awake, isn’t it past your bedtime, Muara Digital Team?
The situation has resurfaced as a topic of discussion, with Trump sharing a video of the Oscar clip on Thursday, following ongoing conversations about Kimmel’s suspension.
“Shortly before the announcement of the Best Picture of the Year, [Kimmel] felt he needed to address a statement I made near the end of the show,” Trumpsaid, continuing to assert that Kimmel’s wife and agent had “begged” him not to do it.
July 2025: Trump cautions Kimmel that he is “next” following the cancellation of Colbert’s program. Kimmel reacts by bringing up Jeffrey Epstein.
The cancellation of Stephen Colbert’sA late-night TV talk show in July was reportedly canceled due to “financial reasons,” but this happened shortly after he mocked CBS’ parent company, Paramount, regarding its $16 million legal settlement with Trump over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
Following Colbert’s removal, Trump shared several upbeat posts on Truth Social, asserting that Kimmel was “next” to be let go.
“The term is, and it’s a powerful one, Jimmy Kimmel is next in line to be eliminated from the unskilled late-night competition, and soon after, [Jimmy] Fallon will also be gone,” TrumpsaidThose are individuals with no real talent, who were given millions of dollars for, in every instance, ruining what was once excellent television. It’s truly satisfying to see them leave, and I hope I had a significant role in that!
In response, Kimmel uploadedA screenshot of Trump’s post on his Instagram account featuring the caption: “I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret.” This was in reference to a birthday message that is said to have been sent by the President to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The correspondence and the accusations directed at Trump were initially released by theWall Street Journal, who Trump responded toopened a lawsuit against. The The White House has subsequently strongly refutedThat Trump composed a birthday message for Epstein, but did not go as far as labeling the documents as false.
Kimmel had mentioned the birthday note previously, when Trump first celebrated Colbert’s cancellation.
The late-night host shared a picture ofhimself and his familyparticipating in a “Good Trouble” demonstration. (The nationwide opposition to the Trump administration)protestswhich took place in tribute to the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis.)
Kimmel and his family carried signs that said “Make America Good Again” and “I wish we had a better President.” However, it was the comedian’s caption that drew attention, as he mentioned the supposed Epstein note.
Family vacation in the summer! #goodtrouble,” Kimmel remarked, continuing with, “May each day hold another amazing mystery.
Read More:Jimmy Kimmel Mentions Epstein While Condemning Trump, Who Claims He’s ‘Next’ in Late-Night TV Cancellations
September 2025: Trump ignores a journalist’s inquiry regarding free speech issues and states that Kimmel was “let go” due to “insufficient skill”
Initially applauding Kimmel’s suspension through his social media, Trump further criticized the talk show host during a press conference in the U.K., which took place during his second state visit.
Trump was questioned by a reporter who specifically referenced Kimmel’s suspension, asking whether “free speech is facing greater threats in Britain or America.”
Well, Jimmy Kimmel was let go because of poor ratings above all else,Trump claimed in response. “He said a terrible thing about a distinguished gentleman named Charlie Kirk… they should have fired him a long time ago. You can refer to that as ‘free speech’ or not. He was let go due to lack of skill.”
