Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 24 with a sharp monologue aimed at President Donald Trump, mocking what he described as a failed attempt to “cancel” the late-night host.
“He tried his best to cancel me— instead he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly,” Kimmel told a cheering studio audience. Smirking, he added, “He might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this now,” a line that drew gasps and laughter and quickly went viral on social media.
The jab followed weeks of public criticism from Trump, who reportedly urged his supporters on platforms like X to boycott Kimmel’s show and pressure advertisers. Instead, Trump’s attacks appear to have boosted interest. Early Nielsen data showed Kimmel’s return episode drew an estimated 3.8 million viewers, well above his season average.
Kimmel’s mention of the “Epstein files”—unreleased documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s network of powerful associates—added a provocative twist, with online commentators praising the comedian for turning Trump’s boycott into “free promotion.”
The feud between the two men stretches back years. Kimmel has frequently lampooned Trump’s presidency and personal controversies, while Trump has repeatedly called Kimmel “talentless” and a “loser,” most recently in a series of posts in August.
A source close to the show told Variety that Kimmel was “energized” by the ratings surge and had no plans to scale back his critiques. Trump has not responded directly to Kimmel’s latest remarks, though his supporters expressed frustration online.
With ratings rising and social media buzzing, Kimmel’s comeback underscores how high-profile political feuds can sometimes backfire—turning attempted boycotts into must-watch television.
