Overview
- Kimmel, who performed at Disney’s advertiser upfronts on Tuesday, joked that his clashes with President Trump cost ABC and Disney “billions” and said his show is up 25% among viewers ages 18 to 49.
- The late-night host leaned into the bit with a mock collection from advertisers, using humor to frame the feud as both costly and ratings-friendly.
- Trump called for ABC to fire Kimmel after an April monologue that joked Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow,” labeling it a “despicable call to violence,” while Kimmel said it was an age-gap joke, not a call to assassination.
- The dispute follows ABC’s brief September 2025 suspension of his show and ongoing political pressure, with Kimmel citing free-speech protections as the FCC’s unusual attention to ABC stations remains a backdrop in coverage.
- Kimmel told an industry outlet he has signed a new one-year deal to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live! on air, signaling no immediate change for viewers despite the mounting controversy.