You probably saw the headlines or the frantic Truth Social posts. If you spend any time on the internet, you’ve likely run into the rumor that Donald Trump finally got his wish and forced Jimmy Kimmel off the air. It’s the kind of story that catches fire because it feels like the climax of a ten-year boxing match. On one side, you have a President who treats late-night monologues like personal attacks. On the other, a comedian who has basically made "poking the bear" his entire brand.
So, did it happen? Was the "bum" finally "tossed off the air" as Trump demanded?
The short answer is: No, Jimmy Kimmel was not fired. But the long answer is a lot more complicated, involving a high-stakes suspension, a massive showdown with corporate affiliates, and a contract extension that basically acted as a middle finger to the whole controversy.
The September "Suspension" That Looked Like a Firing
Honestly, if you thought Kimmel was gone for good back in September 2025, you weren't alone. Even Jimmy Kimmel himself thought he was done.
Everything kicked off when Kimmel did a monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It was a messy, tense time in the country. Kimmel made a comment comparing Trump’s reaction to the tragedy to a "four-year-old mourning a goldfish." He also pushed back on how the "MAGA gang" was characterizing the shooter.
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The backlash wasn't just some angry tweets. It was structural.
Two of the biggest station owners in the country—Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group—basically told ABC they wouldn't air the show anymore. When the people who own the actual TV towers say "no," the network has a problem. On September 17, 2025, ABC pulled the show "indefinitely."
Trump immediately hit Truth Social. He didn't use the word "suspended." He used the word "CANCELLED." He congratulated ABC for having the "courage to do what had to be done." For about six days, the show was dark. It looked like the end of an era.
Why the "Firing" Didn't Stick
The problem with the "Trump got him fired" narrative is that it ignores how TV business actually works. While Trump was celebrating in the U.K. during a state visit, telling reporters that Kimmel was fired for "lack of talent" and "bad ratings," the lawyers at Disney were doing math.
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Here’s what really happened behind the scenes:
- The Viewer Backlash: When the show went dark, the "cancel culture" shifted. Disney+ and Hulu reportedly saw a spike in cancellation rates from fans of the show.
- The Free Speech Argument: Groups like the ACLU and hundreds of Hollywood A-listers signed letters calling the suspension a "dark moment" for free speech.
- The Ratings Irony: When Kimmel finally did return on September 23, 2025, his ratings didn't crater. They spiked. People wanted to see what he would say.
Kimmel didn't come back with an apology. He came back with a monologue that doubled down, though he did offer a moment of grace to Kirk's widow. He basically told the audience, "I'll go when he goes."
The 2026 Status: Kimmel is Still Here
If Trump really had the power to get Kimmel fired, he failed. In December 2025, ABC did the exact opposite of firing him. They signed him to a one-year contract extension.
This deal keeps Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the air through at least May 2027. Interestingly, there were rumors that Kimmel was ready to retire anyway. He’s been doing this since 2003. That’s a long time to put on a suit and tell jokes every night. He even joked to Bloomberg that he keeps telling his staff "this is the last one" just to change his mind later. But the Trump feud seems to have given him a second wind. Nothing keeps a late-night host motivated like a President who live-tweets your show.
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The Truth Social War
Trump hasn't stopped. Just recently, at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, Trump took another swipe, saying that if he couldn't beat Kimmel in terms of talent, he shouldn't be President.
Kimmel’s response? "Quiet, piggy."
It’s a cycle. Trump demands a firing, ABC looks at the revenue, Kimmel gets a ratings boost, and the contract gets renewed. At this point, the feud is essentially a marketing campaign for both men.
What You Should Know About the Rumors
When you see a headline saying Kimmel is "gone" or "axed," check the source. Usually, these are referring to:
- Reruns: The show frequently goes on break for holidays (like the two-week hiatus at the end of 2025).
- The September 2025 Suspension: This was the only time the show was actually pulled, but it was a suspension, not a firing.
- Trump's Posts: Trump often writes in the past tense ("Kimmel was fired") as a way to project a desired reality, even if the show is airing that very night.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're trying to keep track of this saga without getting buried in misinformation, follow these steps:
- Check the ABC Schedule: If you’re unsure if the show is still on, just look at the ABC late-night lineup. Reruns are common, but they don't mean the show is canceled.
- Look at Affiliate News: The real power isn't in Trump's tweets; it's in the decisions of Nexstar and Sinclair. If those station owners pull the show again, that's when the "firing" rumors might actually have teeth.
- Ignore "Cancelled" Labels on Social Media: Both sides of the political aisle use the word "cancelled" to describe things they don't like. In the world of TV, "cancelled" is a legal and contractual status, not a social media sentiment.
Jimmy Kimmel is currently safe at ABC. He’s got the contract, he’s got the ratings, and ironically, he has a President who can't seem to stop watching him.