Viewers were shocked when Gayle King sat speechless after Tony Dokoupil’s sharp words about Jimmy Kimmel. King praised the late-night host’s big ratings despite some ABC stations refusing to air his show. “Which makes the numbers even more extraordinary,” she said.
But Dokoupil quickly cut in. “The 26 million views on social media don’t help ABC’s bottom line,” he warned. He added, “Business is bad if you offend half the country. Good luck, late-night.” King’s silence showed just how direct his remarks were.
Kimmel had just returned after a four-day suspension. He was punished for saying Trump supporters were “desperately” distancing themselves from a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Sinclair and Nexstar, which own dozens of ABC stations, still refuse to carry his show.
Donald Trump also reignited his feud with Gayle King, declaring on Truth Social, “Her career is over. No talent, no ratings.” King calmly replied, “I like my job, and I’ll continue to do a good job.”
Has late-night TV lost its place in America’s homes? Share what you think below.
