Late-Night Hosts Mock RNC Midterm Convention Amid Kimmel Renewal Talks
Late-night hosts mocked the Republican National Committee’s underattended midterm convention in Dallas and the controversy surrounding New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 remembrance. Simultaneously, Jimmy Kimmel is negotiating a new one-year contract with ABC amid declining ad revenue and political pressure from the FCC.
Key points
- Jimmy Kimmel and Michael Kosta criticized the RNC’s two-day 'midterm convention' in Dallas, noting that many Republican lawmakers skipped the event due to 'scheduling conflicts' or personal activities like dove hunting.
- Kimmel highlighted financial disclosures showing President Trump gave $45,000 cash gifts to three young female staffers, including Natalie Harp, framing it as a standard practice for an 80-year-old billionaire.
- Michael Kosta addressed the petition to ban Muslim New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani from 9/11 ceremonies, contrasting current rhetoric with President George W. Bush’s 2001 defense of Islam as a religion of peace.
- Variety and Puck report that Kimmel and Disney are in talks to renew his contract for the 2026-2027 season, moving from a three-year deal to a one-year agreement due to the precarious economics of late-night television.
- Ad spending for late-night TV dropped to $209 million in 2025 from $519.7 million in 2017, though Kimmel’s show saw a ratings boost after Stephen Colbert’s show was removed from CBS in May.
Background
This story follows earlier reports from September 2026 regarding uncertainty over the future of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and rumors of a potential cancellation, which ABC denied. The current negotiations occur against a backdrop of previous FCC pressure on the network and a temporary suspension of Kimmel in 2025 over comments regarding Charlie Kirk.
How outlets are covering it
The Guardian and USA Today focus on the political satire and cultural commentary from late-night hosts, emphasizing the RNC’s low attendance and the 9/11 controversy. Variety and Puck shift the focus to the business side, highlighting the financial struggles of the late-night format and the strategic shift to shorter contracts. While the Guardian notes Kimmel’s interview with James Talarico as a political statement, Variety frames it as a factor in the show’s increased scrutiny and potential cost-cutting measures by Disney.
Why it matters
The convergence of political satire and business negotiations illustrates the increasing vulnerability of traditional late-night television in a polarized media landscape. The shift to one-year contracts reflects a broader industry trend where networks and hosts seek flexibility amid declining ad revenue and heightened political risks, potentially reshaping the future of political commentary on broadcast TV.
What to watch
The outcome of the Kimmel-ABC negotiations will determine if the show continues past the 2026-2027 season. Additionally, the impact of the RNC’s midterm convention on Republican voter turnout and the resolution of the FCC’s legal dispute with Disney will be closely watched in the coming months.
- Jimmy Kimmel on RNC convention: ‘They’re very nervous about the midterms, and rightly so’ The Guardian
- Jimmy Kimmel in Talks to Renew Late-Night Show at ABC Variety
- Will Kimmel Cut His Budget to Save His Show? puck.news
- Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump in first monologue after report of his show ending USA Today
- Jimmy Kimmel and ABC Begin Talks to Renew Late Night Contract Yahoo
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Guardian