Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel lashed out at President Donald Trump after he was temporarily taken off the air for lying about the person suspected of assassinating Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk.
During an appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show. “Did you ever think the President of the United States would be celebrating your unemployment?” Colbert asked Kimmel.
“I mean, that son of a b*tch,” Kimmel began. “It's really unbelievable. Mr. Son of a B*tch. I mean, Mr. Son of a B*tch.”
Kimmel continued, “I never imagined that we'd ever have a president like this, and I hope we don't ever have another president like this again.”
The alleged comedian said he “never even imagined there would ever be a situation in which the president of our country was celebrating hundreds of Americans losing their jobs with somebody who took pleasure in that.”
Kimmel was referring to the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline and shrink the federal government by carrying out layoffs. “That, to me, is the absolute opposite of what a leader of this country is supposed to be,” Kimmel added.
COLBERT: “Did you ever think the President of the United States would be celebrating your unemployment?”
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) October 1, 2025
KIMMEL: “That son of a b*tch … I never imagined there would be a situation in which the President of our country was celebrating hundreds of Americans losing their jobs.” pic.twitter.com/msoDV0t4Qp
Kimmel was suspended for falsely claiming that Tyler Robinson, the individual accused of the assassination, was on the right. His removal sparked debates about free speech, media bias, and corporate politics. Democrats cried foul, claiming that Kimmel’s situation was an example of cancel culture. Others criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr for insinuating that the agency might take action against ABC over Kimmel’s lie.
Democrats trying to explain why Jimmy Kimmel being fired is a free speech violation but the Biden Administration using Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to silence Conservatives is not a free speech violation. pic.twitter.com/si0UNaPjwH
— C3 (@C_3C_3) September 23, 2025
Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers share new photo:
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 1, 2025
“Hi Donald!” pic.twitter.com/2RHuAusg0O
The network later reinstated Kimmel’s show. But Kimmel’s ratings took a hit days after, plummeting by 64 percent. Sources suggest that Disney, which owns ABC, was already considering letting Kimmel go due to his poor ratings and his hyper-obsession with Trump. His contract ends this season, and one insider said that Disney CEO Bob Iger “doesn’t want to be at war with Donald Trump right now.”