By [Dayo Olusola], M10 News Reporter|24 September 2025
Trump Targets ABC Over Kimmel
President Donald has threatened to sue ABC following the network’s decision to reinstate late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after his suspension for inflammatory comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin.
Posting on Truth Social, accused Kimmel of acting as an “arm of the DNC” and suggested ABC’s decision to bring him back amounted to an “illegal campaign contribution.”
“He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do,” said.
‘Rot in His Bad Ratings’
Trump’s remarks went further, attacking Kimmel personally and mocking his program’s viewership.
“Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad ratings,” Trump wrote. “Why would ABC want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat garbage?”
The president also suggested that Kimmel’s reinstatement was evidence of “corruption in media” and vowed legal retaliation.
Legal Precedent With ABC
The threat comes months after a separate legal clash with the network. Earlier this year, he sued ABC host George Stephanopoulos for defamation, later settling the case for $15 million.
“Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers!” Trump added.
The president has long accused ABC of biased coverage against his administration, while ABC maintains its reporting is accurate and independent.
Kimmel Returns to Air
Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, nearly a week after being taken off the air. His absence followed widespread outrage after he suggested, without evidence, that Tyler Robinson — the alleged assassin of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk — may have been affiliated with Trump’s MAGA movement.
The remark drew bipartisan criticism and sparked calls for ABC to cancel his show permanently.
Defiant Monologue
On his return, Kimmel struck a defiant tone. He briefly mentioned Kirk by name but did not deliver a direct apology for his comments.
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel told viewers. “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual – that was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.”
Instead, he pivoted to attack Trump, calling the administration “bullies” and defending political satire as an essential part of American democracy.
Conservative Backlash
Conservative activists and commentators swiftly condemned Kimmel’s remarks and his return.
“Look at Jimmy ‘The Martyr’ Kimmel fake crying tonight. Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. DARVO playbook. This is what they do,” Kirk’s ally Jack Posobiec wrote on X.
“You used the phrase ‘MAGA gang’ & then lied about what happened,” conservative pundit Scott Jennings added. “You definitely intended to make light of it and mislead the American people. Pathetic.”
ABC Under Fire
ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel drew sharp criticism from allies, who accused the network of giving preferential treatment to liberal voices while punishing conservatives.
Some media watchdogs argued that ABC risked alienating viewers by appearing to minimize the seriousness of Kimmel’s comments. Others defended the host’s right to satire, noting that late-night comedy often pushes the boundaries of political discourse.
ABC has not issued a formal apology but said in a brief statement that it “supports the creative freedom of its late-night talent.”
A Long-Running Feud
The clash is not new. Over the years, the host has frequently mocked on air, while has fired back by questioning Kimmel’s ratings and calling him “a low-talent nobody.”
In 2020, Trump accused Kimmel of using his platform to “brainwash” Americans, while Kimmel once joked that Trump had “the vocabulary of a toddler and the temperament of a toddler’s angry babysitter.”
Broader Media Battle
Threats against ABC come amid a broader battle between the former president and mainstream media outlets, which he routinely labels as “Fake News.”
He has previously sued CNN for defamation — though that case was dismissed — and has threatened action against NBC, MSNBC, and The Washington Post.
Supporters say his lawsuits highlight bias in the press, while critics argue they are political stunts designed to silence unfavorable coverage.
What Comes Next
It remains unclear whether will follow through with his legal threat against ABC. Legal experts note that proving political bias as an “illegal campaign contribution” would be difficult in court.
Still, record with ABC — having already secured a multi-million-dollar settlement earlier this year — suggests he may be emboldened to test the network again.
For now, Kimmel remains on the air, while has once again turned the controversy into a rallying cry for his supporters.
