U.S. President Donald Trump’s request has been denied as ABC announced on Monday that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has signed a one-year contract extension. Kimmel, whose previous multi-year contract was set to expire in May, will now remain on air until at least May 2027.
In September, Kimmel’s future was uncertain after ABC suspended his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” due to comments made after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. However, following public outcry, the suspension was lifted and Kimmel returned with significantly higher ratings.
Despite Trump’s call for ABC to remove Kimmel from the air, the host’s contract extension with Disney was agreed upon months ago. The decision to delay the announcement was made out of respect for fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s show, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” is scheduled to end its 10-year run on CBS in May 2026 for economic reasons, even though it is the top-rated late-night show on the network.
Kimmel faced criticism for his comments following Kirk’s assassination, leading to temporary removal from the air by Disney. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of misleading viewers about the shooter’s affiliation with Trump’s Make America Great Again movement. Carr is set to testify before the Senate’s commerce committee on December 17 amid bipartisan criticism for pressuring broadcasters regarding Kimmel’s show.
Upon his return to the air, Kimmel did not apologize for his previous remarks but clarified that he did not intend to blame any specific group for Kirk’s assassination. Kimmel’s show has been airing on ABC since 2003, and he has hosted the Academy Awards four times and the Emmy Awards three times.
Kimmel’s contract extensions have typically been multi-year agreements, but this latest extension for one year did not specify whose decision it was.