Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel as FCC Targets Network Station Licenses

President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing feud with Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, stating that ABC had “better” fire the late-night comedian soon. The demand comes amid a high-stakes standoff between the White House and ABC’s parent company, Disney, which currently faces regulatory pressure from the FCC.

In a post on Truth Social Thursday morning, the President questioned when the "Fake News Network" would fire Kimmel, calling his show "low rated" and claiming that the public is "angry." He later told Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren that "Kimmel shouldn’t be on television" and warned that ABC is putting itself in "great jeopardy" by keeping him on the air.

The latest controversy was sparked last week when Kimmel made a joke referring to First Lady Melania Trump as an “expectant widow.” The comment drew immediate condemnation from pro-Trump media outlets, particularly following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last Saturday. On Monday, the First Lady called for ABC to “take a stand,” and the President followed with calls for Kimmel’s immediate termination.

In what many observers describe as a retaliatory move, the Trump-aligned FCC ordered an early renewal process for Disney’s eight ABC station licenses on Tuesday. While FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asserted the action is part of an ongoing probe into Disney’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez dismissed the explanation as a "pretext" for administrative harassment.

Disney has declined to comment on the calls for Kimmel's firing, noting that he is under contract through next year. The company stated it will defend its station licenses through the "appropriate legal channels."

First Amendment advocates have expressed concern over the administration’s rhetoric. Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), described the pressure as "jawboning," noting that the problem begins when the White House uses its power to pressure a private company to punish protected speech.

Despite the pressure, Kimmel has continued his monologues this week, even joking on Wednesday night that he liked to think he played a part in bringing the President and First Lady "closer than ever."

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