You've probably seen the headlines. Maybe it was a frantic Facebook post or a TikTok with a dramatic soundtrack claiming the king of late-night finally packed his bags. The rumors about a Jimmy Kimmel move to Canada have been swirling like a blizzard in Manitoba for months now, especially after the 2024 election and the subsequent political fireworks. People love a good "celebrity fleeing the country" narrative. It’s juicy. It’s divisive. But honestly, most of what you’re reading in those viral snippets is total fiction.
The internet is a weird place. One day you’re hosting the Oscars, and the next, a satire site claims you've bought a one-way ticket to Vancouver and you're never coming back. This whole Canada thing actually started on a self-described satire website called SpaceXMania. They posted an article claiming Kimmel was ending his show on January 20th because he was "disillusioned" with the U.S. and moving north.
It spread. Quickly.
Why Everyone Thought a Jimmy Kimmel Move to Canada Was Happening
There is a reason people believed it. Kimmel has never been shy about his politics. He’s spent years as a vocal critic of Donald Trump, and after the "red wave" in the last election, the narrative that he’d just give up felt plausible to some. It’s that classic "if my guy doesn't win, I'm moving to Canada" trope that Americans have been joking about since the 70s.
But here’s the thing: Jimmy hasn't moved.
He’s still in Los Angeles. He’s still taping at the El Capitan Theatre. In fact, if you look at his current schedule, he’s busier than ever.
The Real Status of His Contract
A lot of the confusion stems from Kimmel’s own comments about retirement. Back in early 2024, he told the Los Angeles Times that he thought his current contract would be his last. He said, "I think this is my final contract... each time I think that, I still have a little more than two years left, and that seems like enough."
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Naturally, the rumor mill took that and ran with it. "He's quitting! He's leaving for Canada!"
Except he didn't.
In December 2025, Kimmel actually extended his contract with ABC. Instead of ending in May 2026, he’s now signed on through May 2027. He even joked about it on Instagram, saying he was "pleased to announce another no-talent year." Doesn't exactly sound like a man who is scouting real estate in Toronto, does it?
The Italian Twist and Why It Confused People
To make things even more confusing, Kimmel did actually get a new passport recently. Just not a Canadian one.
Over the summer of 2025, on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, Jimmy revealed that he had successfully obtained Italian citizenship. He’d been working on it for nearly twenty years because of his heritage.
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- He didn't get it to flee.
- He didn't get it because of the election.
- He got it because he likes Italy and, in his words, likes showing off the passport at parties to make people jealous.
When the news of his Italian citizenship hit, the "Jimmy Kimmel move to Canada" crowd just swapped one country for another. Conservative outlets started claiming he was running away to Europe. Kimmel eventually had to address it on his show, point-blank. He told his audience, "I’m not moving to Italy. I never said that. This is where I live. This is my country. I’m not running away from it."
The 2025 Suspension Drama
It hasn't been all smooth sailing, though. In September 2025, things got genuinely rocky. Kimmel was actually pulled off the air for a week by Disney/ABC following some controversial comments he made about the death of a conservative commentator.
For a few days there, people thought the show was actually cancelled.
Rumors hit a fever pitch.
The "move to Canada" search queries spiked again.
But again, the reality was less dramatic. After some behind-the-scenes meetings and a brief hiatus, the show returned. By January 2026, he was back on top, even winning Best Talk Show Host at the Critics Choice Awards. He admitted during his acceptance speech that 2025 taught him to "stick to your guns."
What Most People Get Wrong About Late-Night Rumors
Late-night hosts are easy targets for fake news because they are in our living rooms every night. We feel like we know them. When a satire site like SpaceXMania or a random Facebook post claims a Jimmy Kimmel move to Canada is happening, it feels personal.
But these shows are massive business machines. You don't just "move to Canada" when you have hundreds of staff members, a multi-million dollar contract, and a production schedule locked in for years.
Practical Realities of the Show in 2026
As of right now, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is undergoing some changes, but none of them involve moving to the Great White North.
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- Reduced Musical Acts: The show is reportedly cutting down nightly musical performances to about twice a week, likely due to budget shifts.
- Contract Extension: As mentioned, he’s locked in until May 2027.
- Political Focus: He remains a central figure in the political-comedy landscape, which is exactly why the rumors about him leaving keep resurfacing.
If you’re waiting for Jimmy to start a new life in a cabin in Ontario, you’re going to be waiting a long time. He’s made it very clear that he views the U.S. as his home, even when he’s frustrated with the direction of the country. He’s even joked that if he were to move anywhere to annoy his rivals, it would be to Mar-a-Lago, not Montreal.
Actionable Steps for Fact-Checking Celeb News
The next time you see a "bombshell" report about a Jimmy Kimmel move to Canada or any other celebrity "exile," do these three things:
- Check the source's footer: Most of these "shocking" stories come from sites that have "Satire" or "Parody" written in tiny font at the bottom of the page.
- Look for the "Big Three" confirmation: If a major late-night host is actually quitting or leaving the country, it will be reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, or Deadline within minutes. If it's only on a random Facebook page, it's fake.
- Verify contract news: Check sites like TV Series Finale or Variety to see the actual expiration date of their contract. Contracts are public-facing enough that "secret departures" rarely stay secret.
Jimmy Kimmel isn't going anywhere yet. He might retire in 2027, and he might spend his summers in Italy, but for now, he’s staying exactly where he is.
Verify the Source
Always look for the original interview or press release before sharing relocation rumors. Most celebrity "moving" stories are generated by engagement-bait accounts designed to trigger political reactions rather than report facts.
Monitor Trade Publications
Follow The Hollywood Reporter or Variety for actual updates on late-night TV contracts. These outlets have direct lines to ABC and Disney and will always be the first to break news regarding Kimmel’s actual future with the network.