Jimmy Kimmel’s Trump Invitation Sparks Outrage Amid Network Backlash

By Charlie McCarthy | Thursday, 09 October 2025 08:08 AM EDT

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expressed a desire to invite Donald Trump as a guest on his show, stating he would “ask the president to appear.” The comments emerged during an interview with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw following Kimmel’s return to television after a weeklong suspension.

The comedian’s reinstatement came amid controversy over remarks he made about conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s assassination, which were criticized as “maliciously mischaracterized.” Kimmel defended his statements, citing the challenges of navigating comedy in today’s politically charged climate. “He’s on TV all day, every day,” Kimmel said of Trump. “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 occurred against a backdrop of tension between Kimmel and the president. Last month, Trump celebrated Kimmel’s brief removal from ABC, claiming he had been “fired for lack of talent.” When Disney-owned ABC reinstated Kimmel after “thoughtful conversations,” Trump lashed out, accusing the network of hypocrisy.

ABC suspended Kimmel on Sept. 17 following pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and backlash from affiliates, including Sinclair Broadcast Group, which condemned his remarks. Viewers in major markets such as Washington, D.C., and Seattle were left without the show during the blackout, fueling debates about political influence over media.

On his return Sept. 23, Kimmel addressed the uproar directly, calling his previous comments “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” However, conservative figures and friends of Kirk dismissed his apology as insincere, with some accusing him of fostering hostility toward conservatives.