Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet against ABC, accusing the network of misleading White House officials about the status of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show.
According to Axios, Trump claimed ABC informed officials that Kimmel’s show was canceled, only for it to return to the airwaves. This latest clash adds fuel to an already fiery feud between the former president and the network.
Trump didn’t hold back, signaling his intent to challenge ABC head-on. He stated, “I think we're going to test ABC out on this. Let's see how we do,” hinting at potential legal or public pressure.
Recalling past victories, Trump pointed to a hefty settlement from ABC after a dispute over comments by anchor George Stephanopoulos. “Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million,” he said, suggesting confidence in taking on the network again.
His rhetoric sharpened further with a jab at ABC as “a true bunch of losers.” This isn’t just posturing; it’s a reminder that Trump sees these disputes as both personal and profitable.
Meanwhile, representatives for ABC and its parent company Disney stayed silent, offering no immediate response to Axios when pressed for comment on Tuesday night. The lack of a rebuttal leaves the network’s position unclear amid Trump’s accusations.
On his Tuesday night show, Jimmy Kimmel addressed the controversy with a mix of defiance and clarification. “It was never my intention to make light” of serious matters, he said, referencing a past comment about a killing that drew criticism.
Yet Kimmel quickly pivoted to a broader point, stressing the importance of free speech on television. “Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say,” he declared, framing the issue as a stand against overreach.
He also took a direct swipe at Trump’s efforts to “cancel” him, claiming it backfired spectacularly. “Instead he forced millions of people to watch the show,” Kimmel quipped, turning the attack into a ratings boast.
Kimmel didn’t stop there, responding to Trump’s barb that his show has no viewers with a sharp retort. “I do tonight,” he shot back, seizing the moment to underscore his relevance amid the spat.
Trump, for his part, took to Truth Social to amplify his disdain, labeling Kimmel’s show “Democrat GARBAGE” in a post. Such language reflects a deeper frustration with what he sees as biased media coddling progressive voices.
This isn’t just a personal grudge; it’s a clash of worldviews, with Trump viewing networks like ABC as part of a larger cultural machine pushing agendas he opposes. Kimmel, meanwhile, plays the role of the embattled comedian, using humor to deflect while standing firm on principle.
As this feud unfolds, it’s clear Trump relishes the fight, even hinting at bigger stakes with his comment, “This one sounds even more lucrative.” He’s not just after a win; he’s aiming to expose what he perceives as media hypocrisy.
Kimmel, on the other hand, seems emboldened by the attention, joking that Trump “might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this now.” While the quip lands as a zinger, it also underscores the high stakes of this public sparring match.
Ultimately, this battle between Trump and ABC, with Kimmel as the lightning rod, reflects a broader struggle over influence, speech, and accountability in today’s media landscape. It’s a spectacle, sure, but one that raises serious questions about where the line should be drawn between entertainment, politics, and power.
