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Trump Pressures ABC to Dismiss Kimmel Amid Controversy Over Jokes

KVIA•Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 2:53 PM•CNN Newsource

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Former President Donald Trump has intensified his calls for ABC to terminate comedian Jimmy Kimmel following a controversial joke about First Lady Melania Trump. Despite Trump's claims about Kimmel's ratings, ABC's parent company, Disney, has shown no intention of complying with the demands, reaffirming its support for the late-night host who is under contract until next year. The situation escalated when the FCC, aligned with Trump, initiated an early renewal process for Disney's ABC station licenses, perceived as retaliation for not firing Kimmel. Legal experts predict that Disney will successfully defend its licenses, while free speech advocates criticize the White House's pressure on the network, labeling it a threat to First Amendment rights.

Key Details: • Trump's comments came after Kimmel's joke about Melania Trump, which sparked backlash. • Disney has not indicated any plans to fire Kimmel, who is contracted through next year. • The FCC's actions against Disney are viewed as punitive for Kimmel's continued presence on air. • Free speech advocates have condemned the White House's involvement in media censorship.

trump fcc free-speech abc jimmy-kimmel

People & Organizations

Donald TrumpFCCMelania TrumpJimmy KimmelDisneyABCFoundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionGreg Lukianoff

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