Jimmy Kimmel Live! to remain on Disney-owned ABC as host signs one-year extension after Trump, Kirk comments

Jimmy Kimmel has signed a one-year extension to his lucrative contract with Disney-owned ABC, securing at least another 12 months of his hit show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The extension comes after a tumultuous season for Kimmel, who was spectacularly pulled off air following controversial comments made about US President Donald Trump following the assassination of far-right Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Since those comments, Kimmel’s future with ABC had been shrouded in uncertainty. Kimmel’s contract was set to expire in May, with the latest extension securing the comedian a role with the network until May 2027.

It is understood that the extension was agreed to by Disney some months ago, however, the announcement was delayed.

Kimmel was initially pulled from TV screens “indefinitely” after Nexstar Media Group, ABC’s largest affiliate network partner, pulled the show over community concerns.

“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” a statement from Nexstar said at the time.

However, as support for Kimmel rallied, ABC, with Disney’s backing, put the talk-show host back on air.

In an emotional return, Kimmel broke down.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” the host said while starting to cry.

“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message about it on Instagram the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion and I meant it. I still do.

“Nor was it my intention to blame a specific group for the actions of what.. it is obviously a deeply disturbed individual... that was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.

“I understand that to some, that feels ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both.

“For those who think I did point a finger, I get why you are upset.

“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence is a solution, and it isn’t.

“This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”

Donald Trump unleashes on Jimmy Kimmel

Mr Trump celebrated when Kimmel was initially pulled from screens.

“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” Mr Trump wrote.

“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.

“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.”

When the host was reinstated, he questioned the move by TV executives.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.

“The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!”

The US President has not yet commented on news of Kimmel’s contract extension.

What Jimmy Kimmel said about Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump

Kirk died after being shot at a speaking event at Utah Valley University campus.

Following his assassination, which authorities believe was politically motivated, a manhunt for a suspect was launched, which led to the arrest of Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah.

Kimmel accused supporters of Mr Trump, whom he referred to as the “MAGA gang”, of trying to portray the suspect responsible for Kirk’s killing as anything other than one of their own. He said they were “doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

The talk show host also criticised the official response to Kirk’s death, ridiculing the decision to fly flags at half-mast in Kirk’s honour and mocking Mr Trump’s mourning, saying, “This is not how an adult mourns the murder of somebody he called a friend; this is how a toddler grieves for a goldfish.”