President Donald Trump dismissed Jimmy Kimmel as a “lowlife” and stated Thursday that he had not heard — and did not care about — any apology from the comedian.
During an interview with Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren, Trump said: “I haven’t heard him apologize, but he’s a lowlife, whether he apologized or not.” He added that Kimmel “shouldn’t be on television” and criticized his show as entirely anti-Republican.
Trump also questioned how ABC could air Kimmel’s program, arguing the network was misusing public airwaves and warned it could be putting itself “in great jeopardy.”
The remarks followed backlash over a joke made by Kimmel ahead of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. In the joke, he quipped that the first lady had “a glow like an expectant widow,” a line that drew criticism from Trump allies.
Days later, a shooting at the annual dinner — widely reported as targeting Trump — intensified scrutiny of Kimmel’s comments. President Trump and his supporters argued that the rhetoric contributed to a dangerous political climate, while Kimmel stated he did not intend to incite violence and opposes it.
The dispute has since expanded into a regulatory fight involving federal authorities. The Federal Communications Commission moved to fast-track a review of broadcast licenses held by ABC-owned stations, accelerating what is typically a routine renewal process. FCC officials stated the review addresses broader concerns about corporate conduct and compliance, not any single program. However, the timing — following Trump’s public criticism of Kimmel and the network — has prompted debate over whether the move is politically motivated.
In his interview with Van Susteren, Trump linked his criticism of Kimmel to past disputes with ABC and its journalists, calling the current situation “very serious.”
