U.S. — With Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on the air, millions of Americans reported that they had reverted back to not watching Jimmy Kimmel by choice.

Kimmel was welcomed back to television after a brief suspension with an overwhelming surge in ratings as millions tuned in to see if he would apologize for blaming MAGA Republicans for the assassination of Charlie Kirk. But when he did not, they went back to their standard practice of not watching him.

"Most viewers have mentally suspended him for years," said ABC producer Jack Chalant. "We were really impressed with the 10,000% ratings increase when he returned on Tuesday, but it looks like it's already dropped back off. Oh well. Back to our regular routine."

"Who?" asked local TV viewer Edward Rodriquez when questioned about Kimmel's return.

According to sources, Americans were relatively unfazed when Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air, save for a vocal minority who considered it an attack on free speech. Now that he was back, they're still not watching. Even some of those who defended Kimmel have dropped off, citing a lack of interest. "I'm a big proponent of free speech," one viewer explained. "But even free speech needs to actually be funny to get me to watch."

At publishing time, protestors who campaigned for Kimmel to get his job back admitted that they didn't know that Kimmel's job was hosting a TV show.

Trump administration wants to make late night TV great again

In the aftermath of Jimmy Kimmel's firing and subsequent return to air, White House sources say President Trump has been trying to smooth things over with ABC's parent company, Disney.

Prior to the president's change of heart, Trump-appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly threatened Disney with the loss of ABC's broadcasting license if Kimmel wasn't removed from the air.

Appearing on far-right influencer Benny Johnson's podcast, Mr Carr explained the FCC's policy. "We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way. Either way, Jimmy Kimmel has to go".

Benny Johnson has historically been an outspoken advocate of free speech. In 2023, his podcast received $7 million in funds from the Kremlin.

The president weighed into his administration's position on Kimmel yesterday, returning to Washington after a well-earned rest in Mar a Lago.

Leaving the Air Force One chopper, the president was asked to comment on Kimmel's escalating ratings. The president described Kimmel as "just another radical left-wing scumbag who's been rating poorly for many years".

Mr Trump was asked if he had seen Kimmel's ratings since his show went back on air.

"Sure. Sure. Look, we wanted to reverse all that", Mr Trump said. "I mean, look at him now. 21 million views is nothing to sneeze at".

Mr Trump was asked if he still supports the First Amendment.

"Well, it's complicated", Mr Trump said. "I will say this..."

The president's following remarks were inaudible, as Air Force One's engines started up.

Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles could be seen signalling the pilot from behind a column.