Jimmy Kimmel quotes contract extension and rebukes Trump before Kennedy Center
While Jimmy Kimmel noted his contract extension with Disney during Monday night’s broadcast of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” he also called out President Donald Trump for the job he did hosting the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday.
During a Saturday Kennedy Center Honors event, Trump called Kimmel a “terrible” TV host. Kimmel responded to the monologue on Monday with his own criticism.
“I thought we were friends. I’m starting to think he has a crush on me,” Kimmel joked, pointing to Trump’s weekend activities at the Kennedy Center Honors and the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw, also held in DC.
“He has puffed up about his hosting and said, ‘We’ve never had a president host the Kennedy Center Honors before,’ and why do you think that is?” Kimmel asked during his monologue. “We have also never ordered a military attack on a fishing boat by Neil Patrick Harris.”
Later in his monologue, Kimmel told the audience that he has extended his deal to host “Jimmy Kimmel Live” through May 2027, “or until the world ends, whichever comes first,” as he told the audience at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theater.
“I thought about it a lot and decided that I would like to spend less time with my family, and therefore with our audiences here and at home. I feel honored and humbled to be a part of your routine, whether it’s in bed at night, or… during your morning toilet,” Kimmel said. “It means a lot to me to have your attention – and to be able to work with this amazing group of people for another year.”
Kimmel renewed his deal with Disney early Monday and will continue to host ABC’s late-night program through 2027. His current deal was expected to expire in 2026.
Kimmel confirmed the extension in one Instagram posted Monday afternoon, writing: “Happy to announce another year of no talent!” The phrase “no talent” is a favorite of Trump’s when he lashes out at late-night hosts who criticize him on air.
Kimmel’s relationship with Trump has been tumultuous, to say the least. The president usually attacks Kimmel on Truth Social, often after the late-night host has taken a swipe at him on air. In November, Kimmel said during a Tuesday night broadcast that Trump “goes crazy” every time a reporter asks about his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The next evening, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with no talent and VERY BAD TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?”
Kimmel’s relationship with ABC has not been smooth either. In September, the network pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air for several days after Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the country’s largest TV station owners, complained about the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk, a young conservative activist who was murdered.
