Jimmy Kimmel targeted Donald Trump during his September 30 show, where he said an appearance from Stephen Colbert would ‘drive Trump nuts’ after both hosts faced backlash from the president

Kimmel jokes about ‘driving Trump nuts’(Image: ABC)

During his September 30 episode, Jimmy Kimmel slammed Donald Trump as he said a visit from fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert would really ‘drive Trump nuts’ after both hosts had faced online criticism from the president in recent months.

As Colbert prepared to join him on stage, Kimmel said, “We’re doing something fun tonight…we’re doing something unprecedented tonight. I think it’s unprecedented, but I didn’t bother to check. Tonight, Stephen is a guest on our show, while I will simultaneously be a guest on his show.”

“We thought it might be a fun way to drive the president nuts,” he quipped before the audience bursted out into laughter. On a more serious note, Kimmel continued, “I’m excited that Stephen is here. I know that Colbert has a ton of support here in New York where he does his show. We are behind him in L.A. too.”

Colbert’s visit comes just two after CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, marking the conclusion of the long-running late-night program. The network said the decision was driven by financial considerations and not related to the show’s content or ratings. Colbert told his audience, “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

Colbert joined Kimmel(Image: ABC)

Colbert had recently criticized Paramount for settling a lawsuit with President Donald Trump, calling it a “big fat bribe.” While CBS denied any connection to that criticism, the timing of the announcement has drawn attention.

Even with the show’s end announced, the 2025 Emmy Awards saw The Late Show with Stephen Colbert win Outstanding Talk Series.

Colbert acknowledged CBS and his audience, saying he was “grateful to the Tiffany Network for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home.” The show will remain on air until next May, with the network planning tributes during its remaining months.

Meanwhile, on September 17, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Kimmel’s remarks about the murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel and Colbert joke about the FCC(Image: ABC)

In his monologue, Kimmel said, “Many in MAGA land are working very hard to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

The comments drew political backlash and led some broadcasters, including Nexstar and Sinclair, to temporarily refuse airing the program.

After speaking and negotiating with Kimmel, the network reinstated the show. Kimmel addressed the situation, saying, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”

He also commented on the pressure networks face from political groups and defended his right to discuss current events, and the free speech issue it raised.

The suspension drew criticism from industry unions, civil liberties organizations, and other entertainers, many of whom considered it an example of censorship. Some viewers canceled subscriptions to Disney-owned streaming services in response.

Nexstar and Sinclair later reversed their decision not to carry the show, allowing it to resume nationwide.