WSJ What’s News: Trump Threatens ABC Over Kimmel’s Return to Late-Night TV

Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Caitlin McCabe, The Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced rundown of major headlines and business stories with a focus on the escalating Trump-Kimmel-ABC conflict, shifts in Congressional power after a Democratic win in Arizona, Trump’s evolving Ukraine strategy, China's advancement in clean energy and technology, and growing economic anxiety among American women.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s TV Comeback and Trump’s Retaliation

• Kimmel’s Return: Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night TV after a four-day suspension by ABC/Disney for comments about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Delivered a 17-minute, emotionally-charged monologue addressing both Kirk’s death and wider issues such as free speech and the Trump administration's reaction.
  • Called out President Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr, highlighting threats against media freedom.
• Trump’s Response:
  • Trump threatened ABC for reinstating Kimmel, referencing the previous year's multimillion-dollar lawsuit settlement with the network.
  • On social media, Trump said: "We're going to test ABC out on this, saying that this one sounds even more lucrative." (02:15)
  • ABC declined to comment.
• Notable Kimmel Quotes:
  • On his intentions: "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man." —Jimmy Kimmel [01:39]
  • On Trump’s threats: "Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke." —Jimmy Kimmel [02:00]

2. Democrats Narrow GOP House Majority

• Arizona Special Election: Adelita Grijalva's victory in Arizona’s 7th district further erodes the Republican majority in the House, which now stands at a slim 219-214.
  • This win follows another Democratic flip in Virginia, with upcoming key elections in Texas and Tennessee.
• Speaker Mike Johnson’s Struggles: Increasing rebellion within GOP ranks, particularly around hot-button issues like the Epstein files, threaten party cohesion.

3. Trump’s Shift on Ukraine

• Evolving Position: Trump now claims Ukraine can win back all its territory and urges allies to shoot down Russian aircraft entering NATO airspace.
• Diplomatic Moves: In a meeting with Zelenskyy and later Macron at the UN, Trump criticized Russia’s war effort and for the first time as president, recommitted to supplying weaponry to NATO states for Ukrainian use.
  • Quote: "It's been a terrible war... they've been three and a half years and they've gotten not so far... killing 7,000 people a week for nothing. For nothing." —Donald Trump [04:05]
  • Trump admitted disappointment that his relationship with Putin failed to end the conflict.

4. China’s Advances in AI and Trade Status

• Alibaba’s Surge: The tech giant’s commitment to a $53 billion investment in AI—including the new Qin 3 Max large language model—sent shares soaring, with interest from US investment firms like Cathie Wood’s.
  • Insight: China hopes to catch up to the likes of Nvidia and OpenAI, seen as leaders in generative AI. [05:29]
• WTO Status Change:
  • China announced it will no longer seek "developing nation" benefits in WTO negotiations, seen as a move to build goodwill with the US before a planned Trump-Xi summit.
  • The decision could reshape global trade talks, given previous criticisms about China's dual status as economic powerhouse and “developing” nation.

5. Clean Energy: US Retreat vs. China’s Expansion

• Policy Rollback: Under Trump, subsidies and grants for renewables have been rescinded, decreasing investment and leading to a historic drop in new green manufacturing projects.
  • Climate Reporter Ed Ballard: "Hundreds of billions of dollars of federal spending disappeared... more green manufacturing projects canceled than announced." [08:27]
• China’s Acceleration:
  • China continues to increase wind and solar installations at a rate four times greater than the US, controlling the bulk of global supply chains for batteries and solar panels.
    • Quote: "China installed 277 gigawatts... about four times as much as all utility scale plants expected in the U.S. this year." —Ed Ballard [09:24]
  • This approach allows China to dominate export industries critical to global decarbonization.
• Global Response: Other regions, particularly Europe, fear dependence on low-cost Chinese green tech may introduce cyber and economic vulnerabilities, especially to essential infrastructure.
  • Security Concern: European policymakers worry about supply chain and grid security impacts.

6. Growing Gender Gap in Economic Sentiment

• Poll Findings: New Wall Street Journal polling shows women are increasingly pessimistic about the economy, with more switching to cheaper groceries and expressing concern about essentials like vacations or retirement.
  • The gender gap in economic confidence is now at its widest since 2019.
• Women’s Perspectives:
  • Mona Perillo (CA): "I feel like the economy is spiraling, especially for women, because, of course, there's always been a pay gap." [13:38]
  • WSJ’s Janet Adamy: "Women tend to take on more caregiving... over time, that can compound and put pressure on their earnings." [13:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke." —Jimmy Kimmel [02:00]
• "We're going to test ABC out on this, saying that this one sounds even more lucrative." —Donald Trump (via social media) [02:15]
• "It's been a terrible war... killing 7,000 people a week for nothing." —Donald Trump [04:05]
• "China installed 277 gigawatts... about four times as much [as the US]." —Ed Ballard [09:24]
• "I feel like the economy is spiraling, especially for women, because, of course, there's always been a pay gap." —Mona Perillo [13:38]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jimmy Kimmel’s return & speech: 00:52–02:15
• Trump’s Ukraine remarks: 03:35–04:33
• Alibaba and China’s AI strategy: 05:29–06:14
• US vs. China energy policy: 08:27–12:56
• Gender gap in economic confidence: 13:05–14:26

This episode delivers a snapshot of fast-changing political dynamics, a shifting economic landscape, and underscores the rising influence of China—both in technology and clean energy—against a backdrop of growing partisan, diplomatic, and societal divides in the United States.