Trump slams return of Jimmy Kimmel show, says he may “test ABC”

US President Donald Trump slammed the return of Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show ahead of its planned airing Tuesday night, after broadcasters facing pressure from US government regulators abruptly pulled it off the air last week.

In a Truth Social post insulting Kimmel and accusing broadcaster ABC of "playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE," the 79-year-old Republican accused Kimmel of being "yet another arm of the DNC," short for Democratic National Committee.

"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."

In his return, Kimmel said: "A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American," an emotional Kimmel said in a lengthy opening monologue in which he praised the public outrage over his suspension.