NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
ABC is extending Jimmy Kimmel’s contract into 2027, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
Kimmel’s contract, which was set to lapse in May 2026, will now go until at least May 2027 as part of a new deal with the Disney-owned network.
Bloomberg was first to report Kimmel’s contract extension.
JIMMY KIMMEL WELCOMES FORMER TRUMP ‘SUPERFAN’ MTG TO ‘REALITY’ AMID ONGOING FEUD
The liberal comedian was briefly pulled off the air in September for comments he made suggesting that the alleged assassin accused of murdering conservative icon Charlie Kirk was part of MAGA.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said at the time.
Except it had already been reported that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had expressed a left-wing ideology, something that was later reaffirmed by prosecutors.
JIMMY KIMMEL TAUNTS ‘LOYAL VIEWER’ TRUMP FOR MAKING HIM ONE OF GOOGLE’S TOP TRENDING PEOPLE
The comment sparked outrage among conservatives and a veiled threat from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it would take action against ABC. After companies like Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group vowed to ban “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its stations, Disney announced it would preempt his show “indefinitely.” President Donald Trump touted the move as “great news for America.”
However, that led to liberal backlash towards Disney, with thousands canceling their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions in protest as the Hollywood community rallied behind Kimmel. His defenders also accused the Trump administration of silencing free speech.
Kimmel was ultimately reinstated and was back on the air across the country.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS
Upon his return to the airwaves, Kimmel offered a tearful monologue attempting to explain his comments.
“Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions,” Kimmel said. “It was a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make, but I understand that, to some, it felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I would have felt the same way.”
Kimmel added, “I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all. I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t ever.”
Read the full article here
