Trump escalates feud with ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, tells network to ‘get the bum off the air’ as comedian fires back on live TV

President Donald Trump intensified his feud with ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, urging the network to “get the bum off the air”

President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, posting a late-night tirade urging the network to “get the bum off the air” just minutes after Jimmy Kimmel Live! finished its East Coast broadcast.

The outburst followed a blistering monologue in which Kimmel tied Trump to the renewed political storm over Jeffrey Epstein’s correspondence.

The clash comes amid a week of heightened tensions between the White House and ABC.

Trump also lashed out at the network’s chief White House correspondent, Mary Bruce, calling her a “terrible reporter,” and his press team followed with a 17-point memo accusing ABC News of partisan bias.

Kimmel, who was briefly suspended by ABC two months ago after comments made following GOP activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, opened Thursday’s show by mocking the President’s second-term-low approval ratings and thanking him for watching in real time.

“He keeps saying we have bad ratings,” Kimmel joked. “And you should listen to him, because if anyone knows about bad ratings, it’s that guy!”

Responding to Trump’s early-morning post criticizing his talent and calling his ratings “VERY POOR,” Kimmel reminded viewers that the president had already tried, and failed, to get him fired in September. “Mr. President, I admire your tenacity,” he said, before issuing a challenge: “If you’re watching tonight… how about this: I’ll go when you go. Let’s ride off into the sunset together, like Butch Cassidy and the Suntan Kid.”

Kimmel also threw Trump’s own viral insult back at him, signing off with: “And until then — quiet, Piggy!”

Jimmy Kimmel to Trump tonight: "I'll go when you go, okay? We'll be a team. Let's ride off into the sunset together like butch Cassidy and the suntan kid. [ Laughter ] And until then, if I may borrow a phrase from you: 'quiet, piggy.'" pic.twitter.com/FxFx3x6XH0

— LateNighter (@latenightercom) November 21, 2025

The feud escalated after Kimmel’s Wednesday monologue focused heavily on the congressional push to release more Epstein files.

Trump, who has shown visible irritation about the topic all week, also clashed with reporters over Epstein questions, calling a Bloomberg journalist “piggy” on Air Force One.

ABC declined to comment on Trump’s criticism. Kimmel’s ratings have actually climbed since his reinstatement in September, though the president continues to conflate ABC’s entertainment arm with its news division.

Trump has recently singled out other late-night hosts as well, calling for NBC to fire Seth Meyers over the weekend.