Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump attacked ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in a Truth Social post Tuesday night, criticizing the network’s decision to keep Kimmel on the air after his recent suspension.
” I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. Why would they 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 wrote.
“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. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings,” he added.
Kimmel was suspended after making remarks about conservative responses to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. His comments suggested that “MAGA” was distancing itself from the accused shooter while seeking to use the killing for political gain.
Though ABC executives reinstated Kimmel with statements about the need for sensitivity, several affiliates announced they would not air the program unless further steps were taken. Sinclair Broadcast Group stated in a press release that it would not air the show unless Kimmel apologized directly to Kirk’s family and made a donation to them and to Turning Point USA.
Nexstar Media Group also said it would not return Kimmel’s program to the air on Tuesday.
“We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve,” Nexstar said in a Tuesday statement.
“In the meantime, we note that ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets,” the company said.
