Jimmy Kimmel renews ABC contract through 2027 amid Trump feud

Jimmy Kimmel isn’t going anywhere, despite his show’s recent suspension and antagonistic interactions as of late with President Donald Trump.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY on Dec. 8 that the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host has signed a one-year extension with ABC. His late-night show will stay on the network through May 2027.

Bloomberg was first to report the news.

Trump, 79, and Kimmel, 58, have often been at odds with each other over the years. Most recently, Trump reportedly once again criticized the comedian’s talent during a Dec. 6 ceremony honoring this year’s Kennedy Center honorees inside the Oval Office.

In a Nov. 19 Truth Social post, Trump called for ABC to “Get the bum off the air!!!” to which Kimmel replied in the Nov. 20 monologue for his show: “I’ve honestly lost count now of how many times the president has demanded that I be pulled off the air.”

“You’ve done this before. You tried to get me fired in September. It didn’t work, Mr. President!” Kimmel said. “I admire your tenacity. If you’re watching tonight, which I presume you are, how about this? I’ll go when you go.”

On Sept. 17, Disney-owned ABC announced “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be off-air “indefinitely” after the Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr sharply criticized Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue about the “MAGA gang’s” response to Charlie Kirk’s killing.

The backlash soon ensued, with social media users calling for a boycott of Disney’s streaming services. Many in the entertainment industry called Kimmel’s suspension a capitulation to the government’s attempt to censor free speech.

Kimmel later denounced critics’ response to his Sept. 15 monologue, calling the reaction to his comments “intentionally, and I think maliciously, mischaracterized.” Upon returning to the air, the comedian showed contrition for his remarks about Kirk’s death, saying it was “never my intention to make light” of the event.