‘Next To Go’: Donald Trump Hits Out At Kimmel, Fallon After Colbert's Show Gets Cancelled

Last Updated:July 23, 2025, 08:44 IST

Donald Trump accused Jimmy Kimmel and Fallon of lacking talent and said they were paid millions to ruin what he called once-great television

While Fallon has stayed silent, Kimmel clapped back at Trump by referencing a recent Wall Street Journal report involving the president and Jeffrey Epstein. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has reignited his long-running feud with late-night television hosts, this time turning his fire on Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, just days after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled by CBS.

Taking to his platform Truth Social on July 22, Trump wrote: “The word is, and it’s a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, (Jimmy) Fallon will be gone." He further added: “These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television. It’s really good to see them go, and I hope I played a major part in it!"

This follows an earlier post last week, in which Trump called Fallon a “moron" and praised Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld: “Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the moron on NBC who ruined the once great ‘Tonight Show.'"

Kimmel’s contract expires next year, while Fallon’s runs through 2028. While Fallon has stayed silent, Kimmel clapped back at Trump by referencing a recent Wall Street Journal report involving the president and Jeffrey Epstein. “I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret," Kimmel quipped, quoting the alleged birthday card Trump once sent Epstein — a line that read: “May every day be another wonderful secret."

The online tirade came in the aftermath of CBS’s surprise decision to permanently retire The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026. The network called it a “purely financial decision," unrelated to ratings or content. Colbert will not be replaced, and new episodes will air until the end of the current broadcast season. Paramount Global — CBS’s parent company — is currently awaiting final approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.

However, many in the entertainment industry see political motives behind the move. Colbert has been openly critical of CBS’s recent $16 million settlement with Trump over a controversial 2024 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, calling the payment a “big fat bribe."

On The Late Show’s Monday episode, Colbert addressed Trump’s attack directly. “How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go (expletive) yourself," he said, using an “eloquence cam" for dramatic effect.

Quoting Trump’s post about Kimmel, Colbert added: “Nope, absolutely not, Kimmel. I am the martyr. There’s only room for one on this cross, and I’ve gotta tell you, the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!"

The final episode was packed with appearances from late-night peers and celebrities including John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Weird Al Yankovic, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Adam Sandler, and Christopher McDonald. In one spoof segment — a parody of a Coldplay concert jumbotron scandal — an animated Trump was shown hugging the Paramount logo in a crowd of TV hosts.

On The Daily Show, Jon Stewart weighed in with his own takedown: “I think the answer is in the fear and pre-compliance that is gripping all of America’s institutions at this very moment, institutions that have chosen not to fight the vengeful and vindictive actions of our pubic hair doodling Commander in Chief."

Trump’s online campaign against TV hosts comes as he escalates pressure on media institutions. He recently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a report that he sent Jeffrey Epstein a sexually explicit birthday card in 2003.

As traditional late-night television continues to lose ground to streaming and social media, Colbert’s departure marks more than just the end of an era. For Trump, it’s also a personal victory — and a signal that the late-night battlefield is far from quiet.

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News world ‘Next To Go’: Donald Trump Hits Out At Kimmel, Fallon After Colbert's Show Gets Cancelled