Jimmy Kimmel returned from his summer break Tuesday night and immediately unloaded on President Donald Trump, just hours after a report claimed his long-running ABC late-night show could end next year.
The 58-year-old comedian marked the 4,000th episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with a lengthy monologue aimed heavily at Trump and his administration.
Kimmel did not address the report about his contract during the show.
Page Six reported Tuesday that Kimmel’s run at ABC is expected to end in 2027, citing an insider who said: ‘His contract is not getting extended.’
ABC pushed back on that characterization, saying no final decision has been announced.
A spokesperson for ABC Entertainment said: ‘This information is inaccurate – any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.’
Kimmel instead devoted much of his opening monologue to mocking Trump and revisiting political events that unfolded while the host was away.
‘Donald Trump and I have one thing in common,’ he told the audience. ‘We both accomplished nothing all summer long.’
Kimmel then ran through a list that included the war with Iran, gas prices, inflation and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell.
He also targeted a White House project involving the Reflecting Pool, showing images of murky water and debris around the landmark.
‘Now, only three months later, I’m so pleased to report that thanks to your favorite president, DJ Jazzy Donald, every one of those problems has been solved, we made America great again!’ the comedian said sarcastically.
Jimmy Kimmel breaks silence after reports reveal late-night show is about to get CANCELED… MELTS DOWN at Trump and @BrendanCarrFCC in first show back
Rent free. Trump broke him. pic.twitter.com/SIaLcTWG6C
— Danny De Urbina (@dannydeurbina) September 9, 2026
The Reflecting Pool project began earlier this year and has faced delays and setbacks, including damage and debris following severe weather.
Kimmel seized on the problems during his monologue.
‘The president had three months, spent 20 million dollars and couldn’t even get a pool cleaned,’ Kimmel said.
‘I thought he was supposed to drain the swamp, he turned it into gravy instead,’ he said.
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‘How are we supposed to win the war with Iran when we can’t even win the war against algae for God sake,’ the comedian added.
Kimmel then turned to Donald Trump‘s approval numbers, telling viewers: ‘Trump’s poll numbers and pool numbers are at all-time lows. Only 33 percent.’
He also accused the president of trying to influence participation in the upcoming midterm elections.
The host later joked about Trump aide Natalie Harp after reports surfaced about handwritten messages she had sent the president.
‘Would a president with historically low popularity number play golf instead of working over the weekend?’ Kimmel said.
‘I don’t know, would Natalie Harp drive a golf cart in high heels? You bet your chicken tenders they would,’ he added.
Kimmel also zeroed in on turmoil in the Middle East and rising fuel prices.
‘On Friday, fuel prices hit an all-time high. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed… at this point, Blockbuster Video has a better chance of reopening than the Strait of Hormuz,’ he said.
He mocked Trump’s description of the conflict as ‘small potatoes’ before adding another personal jab.
‘No one knows more about small potatoes than a man who is built like a sack of wet tater tots,’ he joked.
Kimmel also revisited a 2024 Trump social media post criticizing economic conditions under then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
At the time, Trump wrote: ‘Under Comrade Kamala Harris, all Americans are suffering during this Holiday weekend – High Gas Prices, Transportation Costs are up and Grocery Prices are through the roof.’
‘We can’t keep living under this weak and failed “Leadership…”‘ Trump added.
Kimmel used the old post to contrast conditions then with those during the current administration.
He closed the political portion of the monologue with a compilation of moments from Trump’s summer before moving on to the rest of the program.
The performance came amid new uncertainty surrounding Kimmel’s future at ABC.
Page Six reported that the show’s run could conclude in May 2027 after roughly 24 years on the air.
Sources cited in that report said any potential decision would be driven more by business considerations and cost-cutting than by Kimmel’s criticism of Trump.
One source said: ‘It wouldn’t have anything to do with Trump.’
Another claimed Disney’s new leadership would not be swayed by political pressure.
‘He’s not afraid of the administration… Josh isn’t folding,’ they claimed.
For now, ABC continues to list “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its regular weeknight schedule and has publicly rejected reports that the show’s fate has already been decided.
