Describing his remarks about the killing as \u2018maliciously mischaracterised\u2019, Kimmel explained that various factors, including the intensity of the news cycle and changing relationships between the White House<\/a> and the media, mean that politics has become a bigger part of how he speaks to audiences.<\/p>\n Speaking about Trump, Kimmel said, \u201cHe\u2019s on TV all day, every day. He gives us [the media] a lot to use. That\u2019s not how it used to be. You\u2019d occasionally get a video of George Bush walking the wrong way on stage and you\u2019d make a week out of it, or somebody trips or something like that. But now you see him, you hear him, he\u2019s presenting himself so frequently \u2013 it\u2019s more digestible and less digestible at the same time.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to have Trump on the show, for sure,\u201d Kimmel said, adding: \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n Such a booking seems unlikely given Trump and Kimmel\u2019s entrenched opposition<\/a> to one another, but would undoubtedly provide both with an even larger platform to score points and reach audiences. <\/p>\n Trump made no secret of his delight last month when ABC announced <\/a>it was taking Kimmel\u2019s show off air \u201cindefinitely\u201d, saying that the host had been fired for \u201clack of talent\u201d.<\/p>\n However, after just six days, Kimmel was reinstated with the show\u2019s parent company, Disney,<\/a> saying it had \u201cthoughtful conversations\u201d with Kimmel over the comments, which it described as \u201cill-timed.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe ABC<\/a> Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,\u201d Trump then fumed<\/a> on Truth Social. \u201cThe White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!\u201d<\/p>\n In his return to the airwaves, Kimmel addressed the Kirk controversy, telling the audience it was \u201cnever my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.\u201d<\/p>\n In the popularity contest stakes, it appears Kimmel may have the edge over the president. This week, a new YouGov poll gave Kimmel a 16-point lead in favorability over Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cI am more popular than the president of the United States,\u201d Kimmel said as The Independent\u2019s headline about the poll appeared on-screen<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI267803722.jpg\")
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to ABC on Tuesday 23 Septemberfollowing a brief suspension (Disney)<\/p>\n