This week, Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show was pulled off the air ‘indefinitely’ by ABC following comments he made about Charlie Kirk – something that has sparked serious backlash among both conservatives and liberals alike.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson called out at the Trump administration for using Kirk‘s assassination to attack First Amendment rights, while former President Barack Obama also slammed the decision to suspend Kimmel’s show.
On Thursday, Donald Trump also suggested that networks may lose their broadcasting license if their on-air talent is critical of him.
But as it’s unclear exactly when – or if – Kimmel will be brought back on air, it raises the question: what kind of show could replace his?
And, perhaps more importantly, who could it be?
In light of the backlash, experts have weighed in exclusively to Daily Mail on whether an overtly pro-Trump personality – or even one of the Trumps themselves – should be the new face of TV, such as his daughter, Ivanka Trump, 43.
According to Sarah Schmidt, president at Interdependence Public Relations, the First Daughter could ‘absolutely pull off’ her own talk show, as she even compared her to Today Show host Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush.
‘Ivanka has that same polish and presence on camera,’ Schmidt told Daily Mail exclusively.
In light of the backlash, experts have weighed in exclusively to Daily Mail on whether an overtly pro-Trump personality – or even one of the Trumps themselves – should be the new face of TV, like his daughter, Ivanka Trump
This week, Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show was pulled off the air ‘indefinitely’ by ABC following comments he made about Charlie Kirk – something that has sparked serious backlash among both conservatives and liberals alike
On Thursday, Trump also suggested that networks may lose their broadcasting license if their on-air talent is critical of him
‘The difference is timing,’ she continued. ‘Jenna waited until the political dust had settled, which gave audiences space to see her in a new light.’
‘If Ivanka makes the jump now, she would have to lean hard into lifestyle, business, and family, and avoid politics completely,’ Schmidt shared, noting that there’s a middle ground where people would be ‘willing to meet’ Ivanka.
Caitlin Jardine, Social Media Manager at Ellis Digital, agreed that there is ‘potential’ for the mom-of-three to secure her own talk show, but there may be some reservations among network execs.
‘Whilst she is widely known and recognized (which is important in broadcasting), her political standing and public image are highly dividing amongst audiences,’ Jardine shared with Daily Mail.
‘Typically, talk shows need broad appeal across audiences, which may pose challenging with her association to Donald Trump and the overall Trump brand,’ Jardine noted.
The social media manager suggested that Ivanka’s potential show may not premiere on a mainstream network.
‘Some of the more niche TV networks might be more willing to experiment on a show hosted by Ivanka, particularly if its audience appeal is one more conservative or lifestyle orientated, potentially even on a streaming platform or a politically aligned cable outlet, rather than broadcasting on a major network primetime slot,’ Jardine explained.
But Jardine said that there’s another big question that comes into play here – and that’s whether or not the Trump administration would even want her to be on TV or not.
According to Sarah Schmidt, president at Interdependence Public Relations, the First Daughter could ‘absolutely pull off’ her own talk show, as she even compared her to Today Show host Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush
Caitlin Jardine, Social Media Manager at Ellis Digital, agreed that there is ‘potential’ for the mom-of-three to secure her own talk show, but there might be some reservations among network execs
‘Whilst it may in fact increase visibility and influence, it does come with the risk of potentially overshadowing any political narrative they are trying to have control over,’ Jardine said.
This is another reason why the smaller, more ‘niche’ networks could be favored for Ivanka.
‘Projects such as this, especially if on more niche outlets can be unpredictable and my guess is that they would prefer to stick to those they can align with over mainstream entertainment platforms,’ she explained.
And, as it appears that Ivanka has grown to embrace the influencer lifestyle as of late – showing off her vacations, style and even PR gifting on her Instagram page – hosting a talk show may catapult her into a different realm.
‘Hosting a talk show would reposition her as a media personality as well as just a political figure and businesswoman which could allow her to showcase a different side, softening her image and allow her to remain relevant in the media space,’ Jardine told Daily Mail.
‘This however would depend on the execution of the show and whether her appearance would naturally attract the viewership in a way that feels authentic and genuine without seeming overly polished or strategic,’ she said.
And, like Schmidt, Jardine noted that she would also advise Ivanka to ‘stay away’ from speaking or involving anything political if she did land her own show.
‘Her public persona centers around business, fashion, family and women’s empowerment which would be a safer bet and more suitable angle for her show to avoid limiting her audience reach,’ the expert shared.
The social media manager suggested that Ivanka’s potential show may not premiere on a mainstream network, as Ivanka is pictured here with her husband, Jared Kushner
And, as it appears that Ivanka has grown to embrace the influencer lifestyle as of late – showing off her vacations, style and even PR gifting on her Instagram page – hosting a talk show may catapult her into a different realm
After all, Ivanka did state that her time in the White House was a ‘very emotional time.’
The 43-year-old served as Advisor to the President of the United States during her dad’s first term in 2017.
‘You become a little bit calloused,’ she told podcast hosts Lauryn and Michael Bosstick last year.
‘It’s a very dark, negative. And some people love like the gladiator aspect of it,’ she noted. ‘The fight – that was never me.’
But is a talk show in her? Schmidt said there’s one thing it comes down to.
‘The real test will be whether she can turn a last name that divides into a platform that actually connects,’ she shared.
On Wednesday night, it was announced that the Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been suspended ‘indefinitely’ by the network after his comments about the assassination of Kirk, 31.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host made controversial statements during Monday’s show about Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University last week – and said during his monologue that the ‘MAGA gang’ was trying to gain political points over his murder.
Kimmel said the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize the kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.’
‘Her public persona centers around business, fashion, family and women’s empowerment which would be a safer bet and more suitable angle for her show to avoid limiting her audience reach,’ the expert shared
Jardine noted that she would also advise Ivanka to ‘stay away’ from speaking or involving anything political if she did have a talk show
The talk show host also took a jab at Donald Trump, sarcastically remarking ‘how hard the president is taking this’ before showing a clip of him deflecting and talking about the White House’s ballroom construction when a reporter offered their condolences for the loss of his ‘friend.’
‘This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend,’ he said. ‘This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,’ he joked.
Shortly after the ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump said: ‘The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.
‘Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.’
ABC will not be airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! ‘for the foreseeable future,’ a spokesman announced on Wednesday.
Kirk, 31, had been shot and killed at Utah Valley University on September 10 – in front of an audience of 3,000 horrified spectators.
Shortly after the shooting, Kimmel wrote on social media: ‘Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?’ Kimmel wrote.
‘On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.’
