Trump says Jimmy Kimmel ‘fired’ for ‘lack of talent’, claims ABC should have dropped him years ago

LONDON, ENGLAND: President Donald Trump said Jimmy Kimmel was not just suspended but actually “fired” because of a “lack of talent.”

ABC announced Kimmel’s suspension on Wednesday, September 17, after his controversial comments on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Donald Trump says Jimmy Kimmel axed for bad ratings

During a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump was asked whether free speech was under attack in America.

He pointed to the Kimmel case, saying, “Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk.”

Trump added, “And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago; so, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent.”

Jimmy Kimmel remarks on Charlie Kirk lead to suspension

In his monologue, Kimmel accused the political right of “trying to score points” by framing Kirk’s killer “as anything other than one of them.”

The comments quickly drew anger from conservatives.

The backlash led to a warning from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who said on the Benny Johnson Podcast, “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Carr spoke shortly before ABC confirmed Kimmel’s suspension.

Reports of tense ABC meetings before suspension

Rolling Stone and Status both reported that ABC executives held several urgent meetings hours before the decision was announced.

Under pressure from the Trump administration, the network “ultimately” decided to suspend Kimmel and his show indefinitely.

ABC affiliate giant Nexstar announced the suspension in a statement. They also cited Kimmel’s comments, saying, “Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”

Internet splits over Jimmy Kimmel suspension

Online reaction was mixed, with some backing Trump’s claim while others accused ABC of bowing to political pressure.

“He deserves a permanent suspension for saying such a horrible thing,” one user wrote on X.

Another said, “Colbert was losing money. Fired. Kimmel was also losing money. Fired. If your employer is making cutbacks, you stay quiet and don’t make waves. You cause problems and you end up at the front of the line.”

One person argued, “Exactly my sentiment. ABC wants ad money and Jimmy was hurting their pockets.”

Others pushed back, with one user writing, “Not true. ABC didn’t fire Jimmy Kimmel for bad ratings or lack of talent — his show was suspended after backlash over his comments about Charlie Kirk. No credible proof ratings or ‘talent’ were the official reason.”

Another added, “The firing of Kimmel for dissing Kirk is the most threadbare excuse they could find for getting rid of him. They dumped Kimmel because he was a consistent and adamant Trump critic. Charlie Kirk was an excuse.”

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