Jimmy Kimmel Critiques Trump as He Extends ABC Contract

The late-night television landscape saw a lively exchange between host Jimmy Kimmel and former President Donald Trump following the Kennedy Center Honors event on March 25, 2024. During a segment of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” aired on March 26, Kimmel responded to Trump’s recent comments, which labeled him a “horrible” TV host.

Kimmel took the opportunity to critique Trump’s hosting of the prestigious awards ceremony, noting, “He’s been boasting about hosting, saying, ‘We’ve never had a president host the Kennedy Center Honors before,’ which, yeah, why do you think that is?” He humorously added, “We’ve also never had Neil Patrick Harris order a military strike on a fishing boat before.” This remark highlighted Kimmel’s knack for blending satire with current events.

In a shift from the roast of Trump, Kimmel shared exciting news about his own career. He confirmed on-air that he had renewed his contract with Disney to continue hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live” through May 2027, stating, “I was giving a lot of thought and decided I would like to spend less time with my family.” Kimmel expressed gratitude to his audience, saying, “It means a lot to me to have your attention – and to work with this great group of people for another year.”

Kimmel’s contract was originally set to expire in 2026, making this extension significant for both the host and the network. He confirmed the renewal on social media, humorously referring to it as another “no-talent year.” The phrase echoes Trump’s previous criticisms of Kimmel, who often finds himself at the center of the former president’s social media rants.

The relationship between Kimmel and Trump has been tumultuous. The two have engaged in a back-and-forth exchange over the years, with Trump regularly targeting Kimmel on his platform, Truth Social. In November 2023, after Kimmel commented on Trump’s reactions to questions about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Trump responded, questioning Kimmel’s talent and ratings.

In addition to his interactions with Trump, Kimmel has faced challenges with ABC. In September 2023, the network temporarily pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air after complaints from major television station owners regarding Kimmel’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel’s ability to blend comedy with commentary on current political events continues to resonate with audiences, maintaining his position as a prominent figure in late-night television. As he embarks on this new contract extension, his dynamic with Trump and the evolving media landscape will undoubtedly provide ample material for future broadcasts.