Jimmy Kimmel pledged his support to fellow talk-show host Stephen Colbert earlier this week after his show was axed by TV bosses following a slew of 'bribery' accusations.
In a joint statement released last Thursday (17 July) signed by three top dogs from CBS and Paramount, it was revealed that the decision to cancel Colbert's Late Show was 'financial'.
Despite insisting both the 61-year-old host and his series 'will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television', the message went on to confirm that the final episode would air in May 2026.
The show's cancellation came just days after Colbert accused Paramount of handing Donald Trump a 'big fat bribe' in the form of a $16 million (£12m) settlement earlier this year.
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The Republican leader had previously accused CBS - which is part of Paramount - of airing an edited version of an electoral debate recorded last year, in favour of his former Democrat opponent Kamala Harris.
After news of the Late Show's cancellation last week, 79-year-old Trump celebrated with a brutal response on Truth Social, claiming he 'absolutely love[s] that Colbert got fired'.
"His talent was even less than his ratings," the president continued. "I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!"
Trump also described Fox News anchor Greg Gutfeld- who recently sparked backlash for insisting right-wingers should reclaim the word 'Nazi' - as 'better than all of them combined'.
Kimmel, 57, has since responded to Trump's threat about being 'next' to have his talk-show given the chop, issuing a savage statement on social media on Tuesday (22 Jul).
"I’m hearing you’re next," he wrote. "Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret."
It's thought that the latter comment references a line in a hand-written letter found among late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's possessions, supposedly signed with the name 'Donald'.
"Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," the note - which was accompanied by a drawing of a naked woman - reportedly read. "We have certain things in common Jeffrey. Enigmas never age. Have you noticed that?".
Trump vehemently denies ever writing the letter, and has since sued The Wall Street Journal for linking him to it.
"I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn't print this Fake Story," the president previously wrote. "But he did, and now I'm going to sue his ass off, and that of his third rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DJT."
While we can't say with absolute certainty that the Epstein scandal is what Kimmel was intending to reference in his support of Colbert, it looks that way, given ongoing calls for the FBI to release files on the sex trafficker's crimes.
Bringing the conversation back to Colbert's cancellation, the much-loved presenter hinted at Trump's involvement in the decision during Sunday night's episode (20 Jul).
After quoting the politician's Truth Social threat, he told the live audience: "How dare you, Sir. Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism?"
"'Go f**k yourself'," he then quipped.
It's also important to note at this point that Colbert's 'firing' comes as Paramount continues to seek the approval of the president's administration for a $8.4 million merger with media giant Skydance.
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Referencing this, Democrat senator Elizabeth Warren hit out on social media this week: "CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.
"America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."
Topics: Jimmy Kimmel, US News, Politics, Donald Trump, Celebrity, TV And Film
Rhianna Benson