Did ABC ever consider cancelling Jimmy Kimmel Live due to Trump's criticism?

Checked on September 22, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The question of whether ABC ever considered cancelling Jimmy Kimmel Live due to Trump's criticism remains unclear based on the analyses provided. Most sources do not explicitly state that ABC considered cancelling the show due to Trump's criticism [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. However, some sources suggest that the show's suspension was related to comments made by Kimmel about Charlie Kirk's suspected killer and the subsequent public pressure [2]. One source implies that declining ratings and controversial comments may have also played a role in ABC's decision-making process [7]. Additionally, another source indicates that Jimmy Kimmel and Disney are working towards a compromise to return the show to ABC, implying that the show was pulled off the air due to controversy and pressure from TV station owners [8].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

  • The original statement lacks context about the specific circumstances surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live's suspension, such as the comments made by Kimmel about Charlie Kirk's suspected killer [2].
  • Alternative viewpoints are presented by sources that discuss the reaction of other late-night hosts to Kimmel's suspension and Trump's comments on the matter [4], as well as the possibility of Kimmel pursuing legal action against Trump and the FCC [5].
  • Some sources provide context about the situation, including Kimmel's comments and the FCC Commissioner's threat, but do not directly state that ABC considered cancelling the show due to Trump's criticism [6].
  • The role of declining ratings in ABC's decision-making process is only mentioned by one source [7], highlighting a potential gap in the discussion.
  • The fact that Disney executives had conversations with Kimmel about 'taking down the temperature' of his monologue is mentioned by one source [3], but the implications of this conversation are not fully explored.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it implies a direct link between Trump's criticism and ABC's consideration of cancelling Jimmy Kimmel Live, which is not explicitly stated by most sources [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. This framing may benefit Trump by portraying him as having significant influence over ABC's programming decisions. On the other hand, sources that emphasize the role of public pressure and controversy in the show's suspension may be seen as benefiting Kimmel and Disney by downplaying the potential impact of Trump's criticism [2] [8]. Additionally, sources that discuss the possibility of Kimmel pursuing legal action against Trump and the FCC may be seen as benefiting Kimmel by framing him as a victim of censorship [5].

Want to dive deeper?
What were Donald Trump's comments about Jimmy Kimmel Live?
How did Jimmy Kimmel respond to Trump's criticism on his show?
Did Jimmy Kimmel's ratings increase or decrease after Trump's criticism?
What other TV shows have been criticized by Trump and how did they respond?
Has ABC ever cancelled a show due to political pressure or controversy?