Donald Trump threatens to sue ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's return in scathing message
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, News, US News, Film and TV
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, News, US News, Film and TV
Jimmy Kimmel returned to people’s screens following his suspension and Donald Trump made it clear he was not happy about this.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! was 'pre-empted indefinitely' following the host's comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the response from conservatives, including Donald Trump.
Responses to Kimmel’s return, after a suspension for less than a week, proved to divide some individuals.
Some who were happy that the show was initially pulled by Disney were left frustrated while those who were against the move argued Kimmel returning was a great victory for free speech.
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Trump, who rejoiced at Kimmel’s show being taken off the air, took to Truth Social on Tuesday night (September 23) to vent about the comedian’s return.
He wrote: “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.
“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.”
This was seemingly in reference to the settlement he reached with ABC last year in a defamation lawsuit Trump filed against the network.
During Kimmel’s opening monologue, he didn’t hold back in ridiculing Trump and suggested the president had a role in having his show briefly being suspended.
He said: “The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.
“One thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Howard Stern, is that a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.”
Kimmel went on to joke: “You almost have to feel sorry for him, he tried his best to cancel me and instead he forced millions of people to watch the show.”
People on social media have also been weighing in on Trump’s threats, with some mocking the president for his reaction.
One Twitter user commented: “Trump threatening to sue over late-night jokes proves he still craves the spotlight he claims to hate.”
Another said: “Trump suing comedians now? Nothing screams 'strong leader' like being triggered by late-night jokes.”
A third added: “A lot of people were like 'Jimmy Kimmel being back on PROVES there was no government coercion against free speech' and then Trump just posted he’s going to sue ABC for putting Jimmy Kimmel back on.”
While someone else added: “After trump’s performance at the UN today, I think he’s officially finished on the world stage. Jimmy Kimmel is the least of his worries.”
UNILAD has contacted ABC for comment.