Fact check: What were Donald Trump's comments about Jimmy Kimmel Live?

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump made several pointed comments about Jimmy Kimmel Live following the show's return to air after a suspension. Trump's primary criticism centered on his belief that Kimmel was "not funny" and that his audience had disappeared ^{[1] [2]}. Trump expressed disbelief that ABC would bring Kimmel back, stating that the comedian's show "puts the network in jeopardy" ^{[3] [2]}.

Most significantly, Trump threatened legal action against ABC, claiming that Kimmel's work amounts to "a major Illegal Campaign Contribution" ^[3]. Trump referenced his previous legal battles with ABC, boasting that "the last time he went after ABC, they gave him $16 million dollars" and implying he expected a similar outcome this time ^[3]. He indicated plans to "test ABC" regarding their decision to reinstate Kimmel's show ^{[4] [3]}.

Trump also claimed he had been told that Kimmel's show was "canceled" and expressed surprise at its return ^[4]. His comments suggested he had been celebrating what he believed was the permanent end of Kimmel's late-night program.

Jimmy Kimmel responded defiantly to Trump's threats, calling the former president "a bully" and characterizing Trump's lawsuit threat as a form of bullying ^[5]. Rather than backing down, Kimmel thanked Trump for inadvertently boosting his viewership, joking that "we couldn't have done it without you, Mr. President" following the suspension controversy ^[6]. Kimmel refused to apologize for his content and maintained his critical stance toward Trump ^[3].

The exchange highlighted an ongoing feud between Trump and late-night television hosts, with Trump having targeted Kimmel and other comedians, celebrating when they face backlash and calling for them to be fired ^[7].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements missing from the original question. The timing and circumstances of Kimmel's suspension are not clearly explained in the sources, leaving gaps about what triggered Trump's renewed criticism. While the sources mention that Kimmel was suspended and then returned, the specific reasons for ABC's initial decision to suspend the show remain unclear.

Trump's legal strategy and the validity of his claims about "Illegal Campaign Contribution" are not examined by legal experts in these sources. The analyses don't provide independent verification of Trump's claim about receiving $16 million from ABC in a previous dispute, which could be crucial context for understanding the credibility of his current threats ^[3].

The broader context of Trump's relationship with late-night television and comedy shows is only briefly mentioned ^[7]. A more comprehensive view would include Trump's history of conflicts with other comedians and networks, which could illuminate whether this represents a pattern of behavior or a unique situation.

ABC's official response to Trump's threats is notably absent from these analyses. The network's perspective on both the suspension decision and Trump's legal threats would provide important balance to the coverage.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual, simply asking about Trump's comments regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live. However, the framing could be seen as incomplete since it doesn't acknowledge the broader context of an ongoing feud between the two figures.

The sources themselves may contain bias in their presentation of the conflict. Some sources appear to frame Kimmel's response more favorably, emphasizing his "defiant message" and portraying him as standing up to a bully ^{[3] [5]}. This framing could influence readers to view Kimmel as the victim rather than presenting a more neutral account of the dispute.

Trump's claims about receiving $16 million from ABC and his characterization of Kimmel's work as an "Illegal Campaign Contribution" are presented without independent fact-checking ^[3]. These significant allegations deserve scrutiny, as they could represent either legitimate legal concerns or unfounded threats designed to intimidate.

The lack of legal expert analysis in these sources represents a significant gap, particularly given the serious nature of Trump's allegations about campaign finance violations and his threats of litigation against a major television network.