Jimmy Kimmel has wasted no time in resuming his comedic jabs at former President Donald Trump, targeting his sex life and fitness routine following the host’s recent, controversial show suspension. Kimmel’s late-night program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was temporarily pulled off the air by ABC from September 17 to September 22, 2025, a decision that sparked a national debate over free speech and drew intense reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
The Context of the Suspension: Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
The indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! stemmed from remarks Kimmel made during his September 15 monologue concerning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s comments about the political affiliation of the suspected shooter were met with strong criticism from conservatives and prompted pressure from Trump administration officials. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr even threatened punitive regulatory action against ABC and its affiliated stations if Kimmel was not reprimanded, raising concerns about potential First Amendment violations.
Amidst the controversy, media companies Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which own numerous ABC affiliates, preempted Kimmel’s show. The Walt Disney Company, ABC’s parent company, ultimately made the decision to suspend the program, leading to widespread backlash from Hollywood, political leaders, constitutional scholars, and the public.
Donald Trump’s Reaction to Kimmel’s Absence
Former President Donald Trump publicly celebrated Kimmel’s suspension, deriding the late-night host on Truth Social and criticizing ABC’s decision to reinstate him. Trump claimed that “The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!” and questioned why the network would bring back someone he described as “not funny” and detrimental to the network. He even suggested that going after ABC had previously resulted in a $16 million settlement, hinting at further “lucrative” actions.
Kimmel’s Defiant Return and Initial Jabs at Trump
Upon his highly anticipated return to television on September 23, 2025, Kimmel delivered an emotional 18-minute opening monologue, defending free speech and addressing the circumstances of his absence. He clarified that it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man” and thanked those who supported his right to share his beliefs, including some Republican senators.
Kimmel quickly turned his attention to Trump, mocking the former president’s attempts to “cancel” him. He jokingly thanked Trump for inadvertently boosting his show’s viewership, stating, “You almost have to feel sorry for him. He tried his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly.”
Targeting Trump’s Sex Life and Fitness Routine
In subsequent episodes, Kimmel continued to lampoon Trump, extending his mockery to personal aspects such as the former president’s sex life and fitness routine. Without directly quoting the specific jokes, reports indicate that Kimmel used his platform to poke fun at these sensitive topics, keeping in line with his long-standing comedic criticism of Trump. He also called Trump a “bully” and likened supporting him to “rooting for Biff from Back to the Future”.
Kimmel’s sustained focus on Trump, even after his show’s brief hiatus, signals his intent to maintain his satirical commentary on the former president’s actions and character. He notably offered an explanation for this continued focus, stating, “I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully. I don’t like bullies – I played the clarinet in high school”. The late-night host’s return has reignited the debate surrounding political satire and free speech, especially in an era of heightened political tensions.
