Despite everything else on his plate, President Donald Trump just can't seem to let go of late-night television. The leader of the free world started his Thursday by once again calling for Jimmy Kimmel to lose his job.
In a Truth Social message published early Thursday, Trump went directly after both Kimmel and his network, writing: “When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT."
In typical Trump fashion, the post targeting the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host came in the middle of a streak of seemingly unrelated topics. It came after a post targeting former FBI Director James Comey for his "86 47" picture that led to criminal charges. The president then followed the Kimmel critique with a post attacking the chancellor of Germany.
Still, it was the renewed focus on Kimmel that stood out. It marks the latest escalation in a days-long back-and-forth between the president and the late-night host.
The latest chapter in their feud began after Kimmel delivered a roast-style joke about Melania Trump during a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner segment, which critics seized on in the wake of a violent incident at the real WHCD event. Trump and his allies have since argued that Kimmel’s rhetoric crossed a line, calling for consequences ranging from Kimmel's firing to punishment for Disney.
Trump’s latest message reiterates his long-running hostility toward both Kimmel and ABC, a network he has frequently labeled “fake news.” It also keeps pressure on The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC and has so far resisted calls to take action against its late-night host.
Disney has continued to back Kimmel, allowing him to address the controversy directly on air rather than stepping in with disciplinary measures. Perhaps the company learned its lesson from September, when it quickly suspended Kimmel for comments related to Charlie Kirk.
For now, President Trump's Truth Social post can be best compared to a man yelling into the void. Clearly, Disney has no intention of getting rid of Kimmel. And the president has called for the comedian's termination so many times that it has completely lost any meaning.
If anything, it has become more fuel for Kimmel's monologues. It gives Jimmy Kimmel Live! extra attention as President Trump continues to reveal how much late-night content he consumes. Kimmel also gets the opportunity to roast the president for having his priorities out of order as the war in Iran continues, Trump's poll numbers drop, and economic issues add stress to Americans' everyday life.
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