Donald Trump is seemingly at war with the US media as Jimmy Kimmel's show was taken off air by ABC.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! won't be on our screens for the foreseeable after Kimmel made controversial comments about Trump, his followers and Charlie Kirk.
In part of his opening monologue on Monday night's episode, the veteran TV host said: "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving."
It was then revealed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been 'pre-empted indefinitely', a decision the president applauded.
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ABC pulled the popular show after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is headed by a Trump appointee, threatened regulatory action, says the BBC.
But not everyone has been in support of the network's decision, with the likes of Ben Stiller, David Letterman and a number of other celebs sharing their concerns.
Letterman said Kimmel's suspension was 'ridiculous', adding: "It’s managed media. It’s no good. It’s silly."
Elsewhere, Jimmy Fallon spoke out in Kimmel's defense.
"To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on — no one does," he told his audience last night (September 18), adding: "But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he is a decent, funny and loving guy. And I hope he comes back."
Amid the ongoing drama, Trump has made a bold claim about networks, their licenses and the negative press he gets.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to the US from a state visit to the UK, the president said: "I have read someplace that the networks were 97 percent against me, again, 97 percent negative, and yet I won and easily, all seven swing states [in last year’s election].
"They give me only bad publicity, press. I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away."
People have since reacted to Trump's comments.
Somebody tweeted: " 97% of networks are against you then I wonder who’s the problem."
Another person suggested: "America is turning into North Korea. This is government censorship. I thought Republicans cared about freedom and cared about the First Amendment. Apparently they just care about worshipping Trump."
A third added: "It's wild how he thinks he can just threaten media like that and not expect backlash."
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Film and TV, News, US News
Niamh Shackleton