doem THE JOKE’S ON TRUMP! Jimmy Kimmel’s New ABC Deal Just Set Off a Wild Internet Storm

The moment the news dropped that ABC quietly locked in a contract extension with Jimmy Kimmel through May 2027, the internet erupted. Overnight, threads exploded, social-media feeds flooded, and supporters and critics clashed in what feels like the latest act of a real-life political sitcom. For many, this isn’t just a TV renewal — it’s a bold, public “clapback” to Donald Trump, who had repeatedly attacked Kimmel in public and demanded his show be cancelled.

Suspension, Comeback — and Now a Surprise Extension

Back in September, ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air indefinitely after a monologue in which Kimmel criticized reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move came amid mounting pressure from affiliates and regulatory threats — and for a moment, it looked like the end of his late-night reign.

But less than a week later, Kimmel was back — the network reinstated the show after protests about censorship and free speech from celebrities, writers’ unions, and media-freedom advocates.

And now? As ABC formally extends his contract, it’s hard to believe this is just business as usual.

Why the Deal Feels Like a Statement

Many industry insiders admit the renewal stunned them — especially given the hostile environment surrounding Kimmel over the past months. The timing, tone, and even the secrecy around the deal suggest it was never just a “routine contract renewal.”

In a sense, this extension is ABC’s way of drawing a line: “We’re not bowing to threats. We’re staying the course.” And in turn, Kimmel appears ready to lean into that defiance. During the announcement monologue, he mockingly challenged Trump to a “talent competition,” poking fun at the former president’s claims about Kimmel’s purported lack of talent. The crowd went wild.

Audience Explodes — Ratings Surge

It didn’t take long for supporters and critics alike to respond. On social media, fans flooded with praise: some said ABC made the “right call,” applauding Kimmel for daring to stay on. Others saw it as a provocation — an unnecessary fuel poured on political fire. Still more observers just laughed, calling it “the biggest late-night troll move of 2025.”

Data backs up the fever. According to Nielsen, Kimmel’s first show back pulled in roughly 6.3 million viewers, among the highest in the show’s 22-year run. Meanwhile, his comeback monologue on YouTube already racks up over 20 million views — a sign that, spite and all, people can’t look away.

Critics Cry “Hypocrisy” — Supporters Call It Courage

Not everyone’s laughing. Conservative outlets and many of Trump’s supporters slammed the extension as proof that major media networks are biased and politically manipulated. Some local ABC affiliates — owned by entities like Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group — continue to preempt Kimmel’s show, refusing to air it despite the renewal.

Meanwhile, union and free-speech advocates celebrated ABC’s decision. As one statement from major Hollywood guilds put it: “The right to speak our minds — even to disturb — is at the heart of what it means to be a free people.”

What Today’s Deal Really Means — And What’s Next

For Kimmel, the new extension doesn’t just guarantee a job — it solidifies status. At age 58, with over two decades behind the desk, this may well define the endgame of his late-night career. As TV analyst Bill Carter recently noted, Kimmel clearly wants to exit on his own terms, not under political or corporate pressure.

For ABC and its parent company Disney, the move marks a statement of defiance — and a bet that late-night still matters. With a rival late-night show hosted by Stephen Colbert ending in 2026, ABC is doubling down on Kimmel to anchor its late-night slot.

And for America? The line between talk-show comedy, political commentary, and cultural battleground just got blurrier. As Kimmel inches toward 2027, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” may become much less predictable — and a whole lot more controversial.

So here’s the question burning online tonight:
Is this just a TV deal — or the boldest clapback of the Trump era?