Kimmel Returns, Mocks Trump Amid Show Future Reports

Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on September 9, 2026, following a summer break, immediately launching into a critique of former President Donald Trump. The monologue came hours after reports surfaced suggesting ABC might not renew Kimmel's contract, potentially ending "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in 2027 after approximately 24 years on air. Kimmel himself did not directly address the speculation about his show's future during the broadcast. During his 4,000th episode, Kimmel shared a commonality with Trump, stating, "Donald Trump and I have one thing in common. We both accomplished nothing all summer long." He then detailed issues that he said plagued the country when he left for vacation in mid-June, including the war with Iran, high gas prices, and inflation. Kimmel also mocked the condition of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, referencing reports of algae, debris, and a $20 million renovation project, sarcastically noting that despite the expenditure and three months of work, the pool remained unclean. Kimmel also targeted Trump's social media activity, including AI-generated posts and his proposals to rename places like Lake Ontario and New Mexico.