- Former President Donald Trump asserted that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was terminated by ABC due to poor ratings.
- The claim is factually inaccurate, as Kimmel remains the host of his long-running show on the network.
- The statement is the latest salvo in an ongoing public feud between Trump and media personalities critical of his administration.
Former President Donald Trump stated that ABC had fired talk show host Jimmy Kimmel because the program "had bad ratings," a claim that is not supported by the current status of the show. As of the latest updates, Jimmy Kimmel continues to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC, a key asset within The Walt Disney Company's broadcast portfolio.
The assertion, made during a public appearance, fits a established pattern of the former president targeting media figures. It comes amid broader industry headwinds for linear television, including Disney's TV division, which has faced revenue pressure from cord-cutting and advertising shifts. However, the network has not indicated any plans to cancel the show, and people familiar with the matter confirm its schedule remains unchanged.
Public reactions to the claim have been swift, largely dismissing it on social media platforms. The incident is seen by observers as another episode in the highly polarized relationship between political figures and the entertainment industry. A representative for ABC declined to comment on the record about the former president's statement. Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Trump were not immediately successful.
The long-term business ramifications for ABC or its parent company are expected to be negligible. However, the exchange highlights the volatile nature of the current media landscape, where political commentary can drive significant online engagement and briefly impact viewer metrics. Industry analysts note that while such statements generate publicity, they rarely result in consequential programming or corporate strategy changes.