ABC Denies Reports Jimmy Kimmel Live! Ending in 2027

ABC denied allegations on Wednesday that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will end next year, calling reports purely speculative.

A report in Page Six alleged Kimmel’s contract will not be renewed after its 24th season, which began Tuesday. An ABC Entertainment spokesperson stated, "This information is inaccurate - any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative." Jimmy Kimmel returned as host of "Live!" after a two-month hiatus on Tuesday, marking the 4,000th episode of the show, which launched in 2003.

Kimmel used his opening monologue to bash President Donald Trump, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, and West Wing aide Natalie Harp. He joked that when he left for summer break in June, the country was at war with Iran, gas prices and inflation were high, and Mitch McConnell was either alive or dead. Kimmel stated, "Donald Trump and I have one thing in common: We both accomplished nothing all summer long."

Trump, 80, has repeatedly criticized Kimmel, applauding after Stephen Colbert’s "Late Show" was canceled by CBS in July 2025 and saying Kimmel would be next. In September 2025, Kimmel was temporarily benched by his network after comments related to Charlie Kirk’s death. Trump complained on Truth Social, "I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back." Kimmel, 58, signed a one-year extension with Disney in December 2025 after his previous contract was set to expire in May 2026.