Jimmy Kimmel Hits Back at Trump. Jimmy Kimmel opened his second night back on the late night stage with a sharp and comedic response to President Donald Trump’s recent attacks, labeling the former president an “80s-movie-style bully.” The host used his opening monologue to roast Trump’s social media post, in which the president accused Kimmel of acting as “another arm” of the Democratic Party and threatened ABC over allegedly illegal campaign contributions.
“Only Donald Trump would try to prove he wasn’t threatening ABC by threatening ABC,” Kimmel joked, setting the tone for his monologue. He defended his previous criticisms of Trump, reiterating his commitment to free speech and explaining why he focuses so heavily on the former president. “I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully,” Kimmel said. “I don’t like bullies – I played the clarinet in high school.”
Kimmel compared supporting Trump to “rooting for Biff from Back to the Future,” adding, “I don’t know about you – I’m with Marty McFly.” His humor mixed pop culture references with pointed political critique, earning laughter from viewers while reinforcing his unapologetic stance against Trump’s threats.
Jimmy Kimmel Hits Back at Trump as Ratings Soar on Return Show
This was Kimmel’s second show following a brief suspension after controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer. ABC initially suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely after conservative backlash, with FCC chairman Brendan Carr calling Kimmel’s comments “the sickest conduct possible.” Kimmel’s critics accused him of politicizing a tragic event, though he stressed that his intention was not to make light of a death.
Returning to the airwaves, Kimmel used the platform to emphasize the importance of free expression. “This show is not important,” he said. “What’s important is that we live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” His monologues have consistently blended humor with political commentary, highlighting issues of censorship and media influence.
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Ratings for Kimmel’s return were record-breaking. His Tuesday night monologue drew 6.3 million viewers and is approaching 20 million views on YouTube, making it the most-watched monologue in the show’s history on the platform. Wednesday’s episode also performed strongly, garnering 3.5 million YouTube views, even while some ABC affiliates, including stations in Seattle, Washington DC, and New Orleans, continued to pre-empt the show.
Despite high ratings, criticism persisted. Vice President JD Vance commented that Kimmel had not apologized to Charlie Kirk or his family, though he described some of the monologue as “kind-hearted.” Nevertheless, Kimmel’s blend of comedy and defiance has made his return one of the most-watched late-night moments of the year.
In summary, Jimmy Kimmel Hits Back at Trump with humor, sharp political commentary, and a strong defense of free speech, proving that his late-night platform remains influential despite controversy. His recent episodes demonstrate that bold commentary can resonate with audiences while sparking national conversation about politics, media, and accountability.
