Jimmy Kimmel surges past Trump in popularity after ABC show suspension shocker

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from Jimmy Kimmel Live! may have backfired on his critics. The late-night host has seen a sharp rise in his popularity, with new polling showing he’s now viewed more favorably than President Donald Trump. The numbers suggest Kimmel’s controversy only boosted his standing among viewers.

What led to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension in the first place?

Jimmy Kimmel’s rising popularity comes in the wake of controversy surrounding comments he made about conservative figure Charlie Kirk. During a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host said that a “MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” and accused them of trying to “score political points from it,” as per a report by The Mirror.


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Following those remarks, the media company Nexstar, which owns 28 ABC affiliates, announced that it would “pre-empt the late-night program for the immediate future.” ABC later confirmed on September 17 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “pre-empted indefinitely.”

Nexstar said in a press release that it “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,” as per a report by The Mirror.

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How did the public react to the suspension?

The suspension sparked widespread backlash against ABC and its parent company, Disney. Many fans and celebrities rallied behind Kimmel, with petitions and online movements calling for his reinstatement. After a week of protests and boycotts, Disney announced on September 22 that Kimmel would return to late-night television.


“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” Disney said at the time.

What did the poll reveal about Jimmy Kimmel’s popularity?

According to The Economist and YouGov survey conducted between September 26 and 29 among 1,656 adults, 44% viewed Kimmel favorably, while 41% viewed him unfavorably and 15% were undecided. By comparison, Trump’s favorability stood at 41%, with 54% viewing him unfavorably and 5% undecided, as quoted in a report by The Mirror.

The timing of the poll, taken just days after Kimmel’s show returned on September 23, indicates a surge of public support for the comedian. While some ABC stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair delayed airing his comeback until September 26, the buzz surrounding his return appears to have strengthened his public image.

FAQs

Why was Jimmy Kimmel’s show suspended by ABC?
Kimmel’s show was suspended after his comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk drew backlash from network affiliates.


What did the new poll reveal about Kimmel and Trump?
The poll found 44% of Americans viewed Kimmel favorably, compared to 41% for Donald Trump.