Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump’s reaction to his return to the air, which drew 6.3 million viewers for ABC

On his second show back from his suspension, Jimmy Kimmel mocked President Trump’s reaction to his return on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night.

Kimmel said that he had heard from “so many people” since returning to late-night television, including “one very special friend moments after we taped our show.” He then read from Trump’s Truth Social post, in which the president expressed disbelief that the late-night comedian was back on the air.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote.

“You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe we gave you your job back,” Kimmel said, before continuing to read from the president’s post.

Trump wrote. “The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!”

“No, they weren’t,” Kimmel said.

Trump’s post continued: “Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there.”

“Now, that I can’t argue with,” Kimmel joked.

“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” Trump asked.

Kimmel unscored the “threat” in Trump’s message.

“‘Who puts the network in jeopardy’ — you hear that? There’s the threat again, this time straight from FCC Biscuit’s mouth,” Kimmel said.

Trump concluded his post by saying, “I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers!”

Kimmel said that “only Donald Trump would try to prove he’s not threatening ABC by threatening ABC.”

Late last year, ABC agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump had brought against the network over an inaccurate on-air statement made by George Stephanopoulos, who said that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in E. Jean Carroll’s civil suits against him. Trump was found liable for digital penetration, which is not considered rape under New York law.

Kimmel then read the closing line from Trump’s missive: “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

“He does know bad ratings,” Kimmel said. “He has some of the worst ratings any president has ever had.”

Kimmel’s return draws 6.3 million viewers

Tuesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 6.26 million viewers, according to Nielsen. It normally averages about 1.6 million viewers, per Nielsen. And those figures do not include streaming views.

According to ABC, it was the show’s “highest regularly scheduled episode in over 10 years.”

ABC suspended Kimmel for nearly a week over on-air comments he made in the wake of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The network’s decision to suspend Kimmel came after Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, characterized his remarks as “truly sick” in a podcast interview, and said that ABC and its owner, Disney, should hold Kimmel accountable or face punishment.

“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr said. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

The move prompted a backlash among supporters and even some of his usual detractors who defended his right to free speech. More than 400 Hollywood entertainers and producers signed a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union defending Kimmel’s show.

During his monologue on Tuesday night, Kimmel addressed Trump’s initial claim that Kimmel was “fired” because “he had no ratings.”

“Well, I do tonight,” Kimmel said, adding: “You almost have to feel sorry for him. He tried his best to cancel me and instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show.”