Trump Warns TV Networks Over 'Negative Press' After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Trump lauds ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's show.

Washington:

US President Donald Trump has implied that government action could be taken against critical media networks. This statement followed ABC's "indefinite" suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night program after backlash from affiliated broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission chairperson regarding Kimmel's remarks about the recent killing of conservative activist and Trump aide Charlie Kirk.

While returning from the United Kingdom aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters that an overwhelming 97 percent of US networks opposed him. He didn't provide evidence for this statistic, merely saying he "read it someplace."

"Networks were 97 percent against me, and yet I won easily. I won all seven swing states...They give me only negative coverage. I mean, they're operating with a license. I would think perhaps their licenses should be revoked," Trump stated.

"It would be up to [FCC Chair] Brendan Carr," he added.

Trump: 'networks were 97% AGAINST me' in run-up to his 2nd election win'They're getting a license, I would think maybe their license should be TAKEN AWAY''It would be up to [FCC Chair] Brendan Carr' https://t.co/hJf0gaGwt7 pic.twitter.com/zqdnFXSF1f

— RT (@RT_com) September 18, 2025Contrary to Trump's assertion, the FCC website clearly states it does not license television or radio networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox.

The President celebrated ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, asserting that the comedian "lacked talent" and "had very poor ratings".

"Well, Jimmy Kimmel was terminated because of low ratings more than anything else, and he made a terrible comment about a wonderful gentleman named Charlie Kirk...They should have dismissed him long ago...So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was dismissed due to lack of talent," he remarked.

According to Nielsen data, Kimmel's program was experiencing declining viewership before Disney-owned ABC suspended the show. Recent figures revealed "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" dropped to just 1.1 million viewers in August 2025, a 43 percent decrease from January's 1.95 million. This placed him behind late-night competitors like Fox News' Greg Gutfeld and CBS's Stephen Colbert— whose program has also been cancelled "for financial reasons".

In his initial response to Kimmel's show cancellation, Trump called it "Great News for America"

"Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that's possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC," he posted on his Truth Social platform, referring to late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. "Their ratings are also horrible. Do it, NBC!!! President DJT"

What Jimmy Kimmel Said?On his program "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday, Kimmel suggested that Kirk's shooter was a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, and claimed "the MAGA gang" was "doing everything they can to score political points" from Kirk's assassination.

He also ridiculed Trump for responding to a reporter's question about his feelings regarding Kirk's death by discussing the construction of a new ballroom at the White House.

Team Trump's ReactionKimmel's statements provoked strong criticism from the Trump administration, with Brendan Carr, the FCC chairperson, claiming that the late-night host's comments were part of an effort to deceive the American public and he was exploring "remedies."

He continued, "we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

After Kimmel's show was suspended shortly following these comments, Carr expressed satisfaction that broadcasters were standing up for their communities' interests.

Attack On Free Speech?David Letterman, the veteran late-night host, denounced ABC's decision, stating the move was "no good."

"I feel bad about this, because we all see where this is heading, correct? It's managed media. It's no good. It's silly. It's ridiculous," Letterman said. "You can't go around terminating somebody because you're fearful, or trying to appease an authoritarian, criminal administration in the Oval Office. That's just not how this works."

Former US President Barack Obama also criticized the move, saying, "After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they silence or dismiss reporters and commentators it dislikes."

"This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent - and media companies need to start standing up rather than surrendering to it," he shared on social media.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects freedom of speech and other rights from government interference. Courts have determined that this protection includes rights against government pressure on third parties to engage in censorship.