Jimmy Kimmel’s Unconventional Move: Inviting Trump Back Amid Controversy

By Charlie McCarthy | Thursday, 09 October 2025 08:41 AM EDT

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expressed his desire to have Donald Trump as a guest on his show, stating he would ask the president to appear. The comedian made the remarks during an interview with Bloomberg following his return to television after a weeklong suspension.

Kimmel’s return came after ABC and its affiliates temporarily removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air due to controversy over his comments about conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The comedian claimed his previous remarks were “maliciously mischaracterized,” attributing the tension to today’s polarized climate, which blurs comedy and current events.

“I’d love to have Trump on the show, for sure,” Kimmel said, noting the president’s constant media presence. The invitation follows a strained relationship between Kimmel and Trump, who previously celebrated the host’s suspension on Truth Social, claiming Kimmel had been fired for “lack of talent.” After Disney-owned ABC reinstated Kimmel following “thoughtful conversations,” Trump criticized the network, accusing it of hypocrisy.

ABC suspended Kimmel on Sept. 17 amid pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and backlash from affiliates like Sinclair Broadcast Group. Viewers in major markets such as Washington, D.C., and Seattle missed the show during the blackout, sparking debates about political influence over programming.

On his return Sept. 23, Kimmel addressed the controversy, stating it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” However, his apology drew ire from conservative figures and friends of Kirk, with critics calling it insincere. Associates of Turning Point USA and actor James Woods condemned his rhetoric as divisive.