Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel remains on air despite intense political pressure and FCC scrutiny following controversial jokes about the Trump administration.
In the year since ABC briefly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the late-night host has stayed at the center of a fight over what political comedy may say about a president, a first lady, and a murdered activist, and over how far a federal regulator may go in answering it.
The suspension itself came in September 2025, not over Melania Trump. ” He also mocked President Donald Trump for answering a question about Kirk by turning to White House construction plans. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said broadcasters could handle the matter “the easy way or the hard way,” raising the prospect of fines or license action.
Nexstar, which owns many ABC affiliates and was seeking FCC approval of a merger, said it would preempt the show, calling the remarks offensive. Sinclair followed. ABC then said Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be preempted indefinitely. Trump welcomed the move. Critics called it government pressure dressed up as a programming decision.