Jimmy Kimmel turned Disney’s annual upfront presentation into another round of political comedy as he joked that his clashes with Donald Trump have become extremely expensive for ABC. The late-night host mixed self-deprecating humor with sharp shots at rival networks, television ratings, and recent controversies while speaking in front of advertisers and Disney executives in New York.
Jimmy Kimmel mocked ABC over Donald Trump feud
During the May 12 Disney Upfronts event, Jimmy Kimmel joked that ABC and parent company Disney had lost “billions” because of him. The comedian said, “It is very possible that no employee in the history of any company has cost their employer more.” He then compared himself to the Exxon Valdez disaster, adding that hiring him 24 years ago may have been Disney’s “worst personnel decision (via USA Today).”
Kimmel’s comments referenced his ongoing public battle with President Donald Trump and recent pressure surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. ABC temporarily suspended the show last September after controversy tied to remarks involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Despite the backlash, Kimmel claimed the attention actually boosted ratings. He said the show is up 25% among adults aged 18 to 49, joking that those gains came “largely thanks to our partners in Washington.”
The host also poked fun at other television networks and the changing state of late-night TV. Referencing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Kimmel joked that CBS was replacing Colbert’s slot with programming “least likely to offend the president.” He added, “Poor Stephen, it’s bad enough to lose your job.”
Kimmel also roasted CBS shows, including the upcoming NCIS: New York and the new Einstein crime drama starring Matthew Gray Gubler. At one point, he admitted he no longer enjoys mocking struggling competitors because the industry itself is facing tough times. “Now we’re like a bunch of dirty, starving chihuahuas under the table waiting for a chicken leg to drop,” he joked. The speech continued Kimmel’s long-running tradition of using Disney’s upfront event to roast politics, media executives, and television rivals all in one performance.
Originally written by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
