Can Trump Actually Sue ABC Over Jimmy Kimmel Return?

Donald Trump has made clear he is not pleased that Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to ABC after a brief suspension — and now he’s threatening to take legal action. On his Truth Social account, Trump posted that ABC had previously told the White House that Kimmel’s show was canceled — and suggested that reinstating it amounts to an “illegal campaign contribution.” He added, “We’re going to test ABC out on this.”

He also invoked a past settlement, writing: “Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative.”

Why Trump Is Frustrated at Jimmy Kimmel

Trump’s hostility stems from the earlier suspension of Kimmel, which followed backlash over comments Kimmel made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Trump expressed relief when the show was taken off air; now, its return feels like a reversal he resents.

He especially objected to what he sees as ABC reversing course under pressure — calling the reinstatement “Fake News” and attacking Kimmel’s talent and ratings in the same post.

Can Trump Actually Sue ABC?

While Trump’s threats are loud, legal experts and media analysts suggest his case is weak. Under U.S. election law, there is a media exemption, which shields broadcasters when they air news, commentary, or editorial content, even if it is political or favors one candidate. That exemption means ABC likely is protected when airing Kimmel’s content.

Campaign finance attorney Brett Kappel has said that such media content typically falls under that exemption — so the idea that ABC is making a “major illegal campaign contribution” is unlikely to hold.

Moreover, Trump’s attempt to frame Kimmel’s return as a violation of campaign laws would require proving ABC is effectively acting as an arm of the Democratic Party, which is legally difficult. Legal scholar Rick Hasen also flagged the danger of conflating political commentary with election interference.

Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back

In his comeback monologue, Kimmel responded to the condemnation with sharp humor. He mocked Trump’s threats, noting the irony of denying threats against ABC while threatening ABC. He also defended his comments, arguing they were made in good faith and not meant to mock tragedy.

Kimmel attacked the idea that his return is part of a partisan scheme — calling Trump’s claims “anti-American” when a president threatens a media network over commentary.

What Happens Next

A lawsuit would likely be dismissed if ABC invokes the media exemption, unless Trump could meet very high legal standards. But even without a lawsuit, the threat rises politically.

If he proceeds, the case could drag ABC into costly legal battles, putting the network in a difficult defensive posture. It also signals to media companies that political pressure and litigious threats are being used to try to shape what content can air.

Conclusion

Trump’s renewed attack on ABC reflects a broader tension between political power and press freedom. By threatening legal action over Kimmel’s return, Trump is turning what many viewed as a content dispute into a constitutional spectacle. Whether the courts will take it seriously is uncertain — but the move underscores how media, law, and politics are entangled in the age of public outrage and partisanship.

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