How has Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings been affected by his political commentary?

Checked on September 20, 2025
Disclaimer: Factually can make mistakes. Please verify important information or breaking news. Learn more.

This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.

Was this fact-check helpful?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings have been affected by his political commentary, with some sources indicating a significant decline in viewership prior to his show being pulled off the air [1] [2] [3]. According to [1], the show experienced a 37% decline in total viewers and a 72% decline in the key demographic of adults 25-54. Similarly, [2] reports that Kimmel lost nearly half his audience from January 2025 to his removal in September 2025. The suspension of his show has been attributed to a combination of factors, including his comments about the shooting of Charlie Kirk [4] and declining ratings [1] [2] [3]. The impact of Kimmel's political commentary on his show's ratings is a complex issue, with some sources suggesting that it contributed to the decline in viewership [1] [2], while others argue that the suspension was an attack on free speech [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes the fact that Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings had been declining over the past decade, with a significant drop in 2025 [1]. Additionally, the role of the FCC in regulating speech and the implications of the FCC chairman's comments on Kimmel's show are not fully explored [6]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the perspective of Hollywood unions and actors who have come to Kimmel's defense, arguing that the move amounts to an attack on constitutionally protected free-speech rights [5], are also important to consider. Furthermore, the potential motivations behind President Trump's comments on Kimmel's show, including his claim that the show was 'ratings challenged' [3] [7], should be taken into account. It is essential to consider multiple perspectives and contextual factors when evaluating the impact of Kimmel's political commentary on his show's ratings, including the potential biases and motivations of various stakeholders [4] [8] [5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards implying that Jimmy Kimmel's political commentary was the sole reason for the decline in his show's ratings, when in fact, the decline in ratings was a long-term trend [1]. Additionally, some sources may be presenting a biased view of the situation, such as [4], which reports that ABC pulled Kimmel's show off the air indefinitely due to his comments about Charlie Kirk, without providing context about the show's declining ratings. President Trump's comments on Kimmel's show, including his claim that the show was 'ratings challenged' [3] [7], may also be motivated by a desire to discredit Kimmel and his political commentary. It is crucial to consider the potential biases and motivations of various stakeholders, including President Trump, ABC, and Hollywood unions, when evaluating the impact of Kimmel's political commentary on his show's ratings [4] [8] [5] [1] [2] [3] [7] [6].

Want to dive deeper?
What are the current ratings of Jimmy Kimmel Live compared to other late-night shows?
How has Jimmy Kimmel's political commentary affected his show's demographics?
Which specific political topics has Jimmy Kimmel covered that sparked controversy?
Have any advertisers pulled out from Jimmy Kimmel Live due to his political commentary?
How does Jimmy Kimmel's ratings compare to other late-night hosts who also discuss politics?