In a move that has stunned the late-night television world, Jimmy Kimmel has announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will conclude its historic run on January 20, 2026 — the same day as the presidential inauguration — and that he is permanently leaving the United States.
The announcement came during an emotional segment on last night’s episode, where Kimmel, 58, addressed the audience directly with a tone that mixed resignation, frustration, and finality.
I’ve been doing this show for 23 years,” Kimmel said, voice steady but eyes visibly emotional. “I love this country. I love the people. But right now, I don’t recognize it anymore. The division, the anger, the way politics has poisoned everything… I can’t keep pretending it’s just another day at the desk. I’m leaving the US, and I’m never coming back.”
Kimmel did not specify his destination, though sources close to the production tell us he and his family have been quietly exploring options in Canada and Europe for months. The decision, insiders say, stems directly from the escalating political climate in the United States following the 2024 election cycle — a period Kimmel has repeatedly criticized on air for its toxicity, misinformation, and erosion of civil discourse
