ABC announced on Monday that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has signed a one-year contract extension, denying U.S. President Donald Trump’s wish for him to be removed from the air. Kimmel’s previous multi-year contract was due to end in May, but the extension now ensures his presence on television until at least May 2027.
In September, ABC briefly suspended Kimmel’s show following controversial remarks made after the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. However, after public backlash, the suspension was lifted, and Kimmel’s ratings saw a significant boost upon his return, where he continued to mock the president.
The decision to extend Kimmel’s contract had been made months ago in collaboration with Disney, but the announcement was delayed out of consideration for fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert. Meanwhile, Colbert’s show on CBS is scheduled to conclude in May 2026 due to economic reasons, despite being the top-rated in late-night television.
Kimmel faced criticism for his comments regarding Kirk’s death, which led to calls for his show to be taken off the air by Nexstar and Sinclair television groups. Upon his return, Kimmel clarified that he did not intend to blame any specific group for the tragedy.
Since 2003, Kimmel has been a fixture on ABC, hosting various prestigious events like the Academy Awards and the Emmy Awards. While most of his contract renewals have been for multiple years, the decision to extend his current contract by one year remains undisclosed.