President Donald Trump on Thursday asked when ABC would be firing late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, adding, "It better be soon!!!"
Trump used a Truth Social post to blast Kimmel as "seriously unfunny" and accused the ABC host of presiding over one of the lowest-rated shows on television.
"When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT," Trump wrote.
The president's remarks come amid escalating tensions between the administration and Disney-owned ABC.
The controversy follows a string of provocative comments by Kimmel, including a recent monologue that drew backlash from both the president and first lady Melania Trump, who was the subject of a joke by the host.
The first lady called on ABC to "take a stand," accusing the network of repeatedly shielding the comedian despite what she described as offensive and divisive rhetoric.
The dispute has now moved beyond public criticism and into the regulatory arena.
The Federal Communications Commission has launched early reviews of eight ABC-owned stations — a move that could potentially put their broadcast licenses at risk.
While the FCC has not revoked a license in decades, the unprecedented action signals growing scrutiny of major networks' practices, including diversity policies and content decisions.
The New York Times reported the review has created a significant political and legal challenge for Disney's leadership, which now faces the possibility of prolonged battles with federal regulators.
Although industry experts say revoking licenses would be difficult under current law, the mere threat underscores the seriousness of the situation.
The clash highlights long-standing concerns about bias in late-night television and mainstream media.
Critics argue that hosts such as Kimmel routinely target conservative figures while facing little accountability from network executives.
At the same time, broader questions are emerging about the future of traditional television.
Analysts have noted that late-night programming has struggled financially in the streaming era, raising questions about whether such shows remain viable or worth the controversy they generate.
Meanwhile, Trump has continued to press his case publicly, framing the issue as part of a larger effort to hold media institutions accountable.
His administration has emphasized the importance of ensuring broadcasters serve the public interest, particularly given their access to federally licensed airwaves.
Despite the mounting pressure, ABC has shown no indication it plans to remove Kimmel from the air.
The network allowed him to continue hosting his show this week, signaling a willingness to stand by its programming decisions even as criticism intensifies.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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