Overview
- Kimmel told a Bloomberg Screentime audience he would invite President Trump onto Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying, “I’d love to have Trump on the show… I’ll ask him.”
- He said his Sept. 15 comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing were “intentionally and maliciously mischaracterized,” and recalled thinking the show was over after he refused affiliates’ demands.
- Kimmel described constructive talks with Disney leaders, including Dana Walden, before ABC reinstated the show following a roughly six-day suspension.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly urged stations to take action against the program, and major affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair initially preempted the show before restoring it later that week.
- After Kimmel’s return drew a ratings surge, a YouGov/The Economist poll found him at +3 net favorability versus Trump at -13, with 55% saying his remarks did not warrant cancellation, as Trump continued to attack the host and threatened legal action against ABC.