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President Trump Escalates Feud with ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, Calls for Host’s Removal
President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, demanding the network remove the comedian from the air in a post on Truth Social made shortly after Kimmel’s show concluded.
“Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air? Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it?” Trump wrote at 12:49 a.m. Eastern time, urging the network to “get the bum off the air.” His reference to “syndicates” appeared to target ABC affiliates, some of which had previously complained about Kimmel’s content.
The latest attack follows a pattern of increasing tension between Trump and ABC. Earlier this week, the president lashed out at ABC’s chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce during an Oval Office meeting, calling her a “terrible reporter” and criticizing her attitude after she asked pointed questions about several topics, including the Jeffrey Epstein case.
The White House press office subsequently released a 17-point memo detailing grievances against ABC News, some dating back to Trump’s first term. “ABC ‘News’ is not journalism,” the press office stated. “It’s a Democrat spin operation masquerading as a broadcast network.”
Among the complaints were ABC host George Stephanopoulos’s inaccurate claim that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll, which led Disney Corporation (ABC’s parent company) to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit. The White House also criticized the network’s fact-checking of Trump during his 2024 presidential debate with Kamala Harris and former ABC correspondent Terry Moran calling Trump aide Stephen Miller a “world-class hater.”
The president’s ire toward Kimmel appears to have been triggered by Wednesday night’s show, which opened with a blistering 10-minute monologue focusing on Jeffrey Epstein and Congress’ recent vote to release more material from the late sex offender’s correspondence. Kimmel referred to the developing story as “Hurricane Epstein” and made a pointed reference to Trump, saying, “We are ever closer to answering the question: What did the president know, and how old were these women when he knew it?”
This incident marks the second time in recent months that Kimmel has drawn Trump’s attention. In September, ABC temporarily suspended the comedian following remarks he made after the assassination of GOP activist Charlie Kirk. The network later lifted the suspension amid public outcry. According to ABC, Kimmel’s ratings actually saw an increase upon his return to air following the brief suspension.
ABC has declined to comment on Trump’s latest statement regarding Kimmel, only noting that while Trump associated Kimmel with ABC News, the comedian actually works for the network’s entertainment division.
The Epstein case appears to be particularly sensitive for Trump. Last week, the president referred to Bloomberg News reporter Catherine Lucey as “piggy” during a question-and-answer session on Air Force One after she inquired about the topic.
Kimmel isn’t the only late-night host in Trump’s crosshairs. Over the weekend, the president also called for NBC to fire Seth Meyers, indicating a broader frustration with how late-night comedy shows are covering his campaign and administration.
The escalating conflict between Trump and major media networks reflects the increasingly tense relationship between the White House and press outlets as the election cycle intensifies. Media analysts note that these confrontations often energize Trump’s base supporters while raising concerns among press freedom advocates about potential intimidation of journalists and entertainers.
ABC News has not yet responded to the White House’s detailed list of grievances.
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7 Comments
Trump’s criticism of Kimmel and ABC is part of a broader pattern of his attacks on the media. While he’s entitled to his opinion, his personal attacks on individual journalists and hosts are concerning. The public deserves objective news coverage, not political vendettas.
It’s interesting to see the ongoing tensions between Trump and the media, with his latest comments about Kimmel and ABC being just the latest chapter. While he’s clearly not a fan of their coverage, his attacks seem more personal than substantive. Curious to see how this plays out.
Interesting to see the ongoing tensions between Trump and the media. While he’s clearly not a fan of Kimmel or ABC, his attacks seem more personal than substantive. Curious to see how this feud develops.
Trump’s latest comments about ABC and Kimmel reflect his longstanding hostility towards the media. While he’s entitled to his opinions, his personal attacks on individual journalists and hosts are troubling. The public deserves objective news coverage, not political vendettas.
Trump has a long history of clashing with the media, especially those he sees as critical of him. His latest comments about Kimmel and ABC are just the latest chapter in this ongoing battle. It will be interesting to see if this escalates further.
This feud between Trump and ABC/Kimmel is a fascinating window into the president’s combative relationship with the media. While he’s clearly unhappy with their coverage, his calls for Kimmel’s removal seem more like political retaliation than a substantive critique.
Trump’s criticism of Kimmel and ABC seems like a continuation of his broader attacks on the media. While he’s entitled to his opinion, his personal attacks on individual journalists and hosts are concerning. The public deserves objective news coverage, not political vendettas.