Trump Calls Jimmy Kimmel a ‘Lowlife’ as ABC Firestorm Grows

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President Donald Trump sharply criticized Jimmy Kimmel during a phone interview with Greta Van Susteren, dismissing the late-night host as a “lowlife” and saying he had not heard — and did not care about — any apology from him. Trump said, “I haven’t heard him apologize, but he’s a lowlife, whether he apologized or not,” while also arguing that Kimmel “shouldn’t be on television.” The president’s remarks reflected growing frustration among conservatives over late-night programming that they say has become openly hostile to Republicans rather than broadly comedic.

The controversy followed backlash over a joke Kimmel made ahead of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, when he said First Lady Melania Trump had the “glow like an expectant widow.” That line drew condemnation from Trump allies even before the dinner descended into violence. After the shooting at the event, criticism of Kimmel’s remark intensified, with Trump supporters arguing that cruel and dehumanizing rhetoric toward the president and his family has helped create a reckless political climate.

Details & Background

Trump’s criticism did not stop with Kimmel personally. He also questioned how ABC could continue airing the program, arguing that the network was misusing public airwaves and potentially placing itself in “great jeopardy.” Newsmax reported that Trump tied his criticism of Kimmel to broader concerns about network conduct, including past disputes involving ABC and its journalists. To Trump and many of his supporters, the Kimmel controversy is not an isolated matter of one bad joke, but part of a long-running media pattern that targets conservatives while presenting itself as entertainment.

The fight has also taken on a regulatory dimension. According to the Newsmax report, federal authorities have moved to accelerate review of broadcast licenses held by ABC-owned stations, though officials said the review is tied to broader concerns about corporate conduct and compliance rather than a single program. The timing has fueled debate, because Trump’s public criticism of Kimmel and ABC came as the network was already facing heightened scrutiny over its political tone, programming choices, and use of public broadcast privileges.

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Kimmel has said he did not intend to incite violence and opposes it, according to the report. But Trump’s position was that the issue goes beyond intent. His criticism centered on whether a nationally televised host should be rewarded with a major platform while delivering political attacks that conservatives view as vicious, one-sided, and dehumanizing. Trump’s comment that Kimmel “shouldn’t be on television” captured the anger of many viewers who believe late-night comedy has abandoned humor in favor of partisan hostility.

The broader reaction has split along familiar lines. Trump allies have pointed to Kimmel’s comment about Melania Trump as an example of a media culture that casually mocks conservative families and then demands civility when it faces pushback. Critics of Trump have argued that regulatory pressure on ABC could raise concerns about political interference. But the president’s supporters see a different question: whether media corporations that depend on access to public airwaves should be able to operate as partisan attack machines while avoiding serious oversight.

Why This Matters to You

For everyday Americans, this dispute touches a basic fairness issue. Millions of families turn on the television and see major networks treating conservative voters, Republican leaders, and even first families as acceptable targets for personal ridicule. Trump’s remarks put that frustration into direct language, making clear that the days of quietly accepting one-sided media attacks may be over.

The government’s response should be measured, lawful, and transparent, but it should also take seriously whether broadcast networks are honoring the responsibilities that come with public licensing. No comedian, network, or corporate board should be above scrutiny when rhetoric turns reckless and public trust collapses. The stakes are bigger than one late-night host. They involve the future of media accountability, the safety of public figures, and whether the country can restore standards before political hatred becomes permanently normalized.