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Jimmy Kimmel is marking a major career milestone — and using it to take a playful swipe at President Donald Trump. The late-night host announced to his studio audience on Dec. 8 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been renewed through May 2027, a one-year extension that keeps him on ABC for at least another season.
"I've been renewed," Kimmel, 58, told the crowd, who stood to applaud. "Our show's been renewed until May of 2027 or until the world ends, whichever comes first." He joked that the decision came after "a lot of thought," adding, "I would like to spend less time with my family." Still, he told viewers he was "honored and humbled to be a part of your routine, whether it's in bed at night or during your morning toilet time."
Kimmel also poked fun at sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez before shifting to Trump's latest criticism. The night before, while hosting the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, Trump declared, "I've watched some of the people that host. Jimmy Kimmel was horrible," adding that if he couldn't "beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent," he shouldn't be president.
Kimmel played the clip on air, calling the digs "very hurtful" before joking, "I'm starting to think he might have a crush on me." He went on to tease Trump for claiming Kimmel once hosted the Honors — "Do you think he even knows I never hosted the Kennedy Center Honors? Maybe he's confusing me with Queen Latifah."
Taking Trump's words literally, Kimmel said he was open to proving who has more "talent." "Let's do it. Let's have a talent competition," he said. Kimmel laid out his plan: tell jokes, draw, and play his clarinet.
Kimmel's renewal follows a turbulent year. ABC temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air in September after remarks he made about activist Charlie Kirk's killing. In an emotional return, Kimmel clarified he hadn't intended to make light of the tragedy, saying, "I get why you're upset." Trump then blasted ABC on Truth Social, writing, "I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back."
Despite the controversy, Disney and ABC opted to keep their longtime late-night face.
