Former President Donald Trump has launched a fresh, furious attack on comedian Jimmy Kimmel, demanding the late-night host be removed from television following a monologue packed with pointed political jokes.
The 'Hurricane Epstein' Monologue That Sparked Fury
The latest flashpoint in their ongoing feud occurred during Wednesday night's broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Kimmel told viewers to brace for 'Hurricane Epstein' and posed a provocative question to the nation: 'what did the president know and how old were these women when he knew it?' This direct reference to the ongoing scrutiny of Trump's connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein sent the former president into a rage.
Responding on his Truth Social platform, Trump seethed, 'Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?' He continued his tirade, labelling the coverage 'totally biased' and concluding with a demand to 'Get the bum off the air!!!'
A History of Suspension and Record Ratings
This is not the first time Trump has called for Kimmel's cancellation. The bitter conflict dates back to September, when the comedian delivered a monologue on Trump's reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Following that episode, ABC suspended the show, a move Trump hailed as 'Great News for America.'
However, the network reinstated the programme just a week later. Defying Trump's claims of poor ratings, Kimmel's return was a resounding success. His first episode back was watched by over 6.3 million people, and the opening monologue alone amassed a staggering 14 million views on YouTube.
Kimmel's Cutting Jabs at the President
The monologue that triggered the current uproar was filled with satirical blows aimed at the former president. Kimmel mocked Trump's claim that investigations into the Epstein files are a 'waste of time' by playing a montage of the president's own speeches.
Further jokes targeted a lavish White House dinner attended by figures including Elon Musk and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Kimmel quipped, 'It was like an alumni dinner for the Legion of Doom,' adding, 'This group is so cartoonishly evil that we might actually need Austin Powers to defeat them.'
As of now, ABC has not publicly responded to Trump's latest demands, and the future of this very public and acrimonious dispute remains uncertain.
