Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Desire to Invite Donald Trump on Show Amid Controversy

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expressed his interest in having former president Donald Trump as a guest on his program, stating he would “love” to invite him. The comments were made during an interview with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw following Kimmel’s return to television after a weeklong suspension.

Kimmel’s comeback came after ABC and its affiliates temporarily removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air due to backlash over remarks he made about conservative figure Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In his conversation with Shaw, Kimmel claimed his previous statements were “maliciously mischaracterized,” citing the current politically charged environment as a challenge for separating comedy from real-world events.

“We have him [Trump] on TV all day, every day,” Kimmel said. “He gives us [the media] a lot to use. … I’d love to have Trump on the show, for sure. Alright, I’ll ask him.”

The invitation occurs amid tensions between Kimmel and Trump, who previously celebrated the host’s brief absence from ABC, claiming Kimmel had been fired for “lack of talent.” After Disney-owned ABC reinstated Kimmel following “thoughtful conversations,” Trump criticized the network, stating, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his show was cancelled!”

ABC suspended Kimmel on September 17 amid pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and backlash from affiliates, including the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which condemned his remarks. Viewers in major markets like Washington, D.C., and Seattle missed the show during the blackout, sparking debates about political influence over programming and free speech limits.

On his return September 23, Kimmel addressed the controversy directly, stating it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” However, his apology drew criticism from conservative figures and Kirk’s allies, who dismissed it as insincere. Actor James Woods also accused Kimmel of fostering hostility toward conservatives through his rhetoric.