Jimmy Kimmel is set to resume broadcasting his jimmy-kimmel-live-suspended-over-charlie-kirk-remark/” title=”… Pulled Off … Indefinitely Following Controversial Remark About …'s Assassin”>late-night show after it was abruptly taken off the air last week, according to an announcement from ABC, a network owned by Disney.
The program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will make its comeback on Tuesday evening following a week of controversy that saw ABC face widespread criticism for its cancellation decision, which coincided with a nearly $5 billion drop in Disney’s market capitalization.
What Prompted the Return of Jimmy Kimmel’s Show?
Disney, the parent company of ABC, explained in a Monday statement that the show was temporarily suspended on September 17 to prevent further inflaming tensions during a particularly sensitive period for the nation.
“We determined that some remarks made on the show were poorly timed and could be perceived as insensitive,” the company said.
They added, “After engaging in meaningful discussions with Jimmy over the past several days, we have decided to bring the show back starting Tuesday.”
Industry analysts suggest that Disney’s reversal was largely driven by commercial concerns, as a significant number of subscribers began canceling their memberships to Disney’s streaming platforms.
“Viewers exercised their own form of free speech by discontinuing their subscriptions to the company’s streaming services,” noted Susan Campbell, a media studies expert at the University of New Haven, speaking to Reuters.
When Will Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Resume?
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is scheduled to air again on Tuesday at its regular 11:35 p.m. Eastern Time slot (Wednesday, 03:35 GMT). Audiences can watch the show on abc.com or stream it via Hulu.
However, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns over 30 local ABC affiliates, announced it will replace Kimmel’s program with local news broadcasts instead.
Why Was Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Taken Off the Air Initially?
On September 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was tragically shot and killed while addressing an audience of approximately 3,000 at a university event in Utah. After an extensive 33-hour search, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was apprehended and charged with aggravated murder. Some right-wing commentators alleged Robinson had left-leaning political affiliations.
In response, Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters for their reactions to Kirk’s death.
During his show, Kimmel remarked, “The MAGA crowd is desperately trying to distance the murderer of Charlie Kirk from their ranks and exploit the tragedy for political gain.”
He further commented that Trump’s response to the incident was immature, stating, “This is not how a grown adult mourns a friend’s murder; it’s akin to how a child grieves a lost pet.”
The backlash from conservative groups led broadcast companies Nexstar and Sinclair to pull Kimmel’s show on September 17. While Sinclair opted to air news programming in its place, Nexstar’s plans regarding the show’s future remain uncertain.
Additionally, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for regulatory action against Kimmel, Disney, and ABC, a move criticized by FCC Democrat Anna Gomez and legal experts as an overextension of authority.
How Have Critics Responded to ABC’s Removal of Kimmel’s Show?
The suspension of Kimmel’s program has drawn widespread condemnation from politicians, legal scholars, celebrities, and fellow talk show hosts, who view it as a violation of free speech rights protected by the First Amendment.
Following the announcement, many viewers took to social media to declare their cancellations of Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, using hashtags like #CancelDisney and #CancelABC.
Several celebrities joined the chorus of dissent. Actor Misha Collins, known for his role in Supernatural, tweeted on September 18: “I’m canceling my @DisneyPlus subscription indefinitely.”
I’m canceling my @DisneyPlus subscription “indefinitely.” pic.twitter.com/QpOeDj3LhZ
– Misha Collins (@mishacollins) September 18, 2025
Moreover, at least five major Hollywood unions representing over 400,000 workers in broadcasting and film have publicly opposed Disney’s decision.
Former President Barack Obama shared multiple articles and commentary on X on September 19, emphasizing, “Freedom of speech is fundamental to democracy and must be upheld, regardless of whether the speaker is Charlie Kirk or Jimmy Kimmel, supporters or critics of MAGA.”
He further stated, “This is exactly the kind of government pressure the First Amendment aims to prevent – media companies must resist rather than yield to it.”
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, condemned the Trump administration’s record on free speech, saying, “Under Donald Trump, the government has repeatedly suppressed speech, coerced private companies, and wielded censorship against First Amendment rights.”
Who Supported Disney/ABC’s Decision to Cancel Kimmel’s Show?
President Trump and his MAGA supporters applauded the removal of Kimmel’s program.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Kudos to ABC for finally doing what was necessary. Kimmel has no talent and even worse ratings than Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total failures, on Fake News NBC,” referring to late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
What Financial Impact Did This Controversy Have on Disney?
From September 17 through early Tuesday, Disney’s stock price declined by 2.39%, translating to a loss of approximately $4.99 billion in market value.
Reactions to the Reinstatement of Kimmel’s Show
Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk, criticized Disney and ABC for reversing their decision.
“It’s no surprise that Disney and ABC have caved and allowed Kimmel back on air, but it’s a mistake they must own,” Kolvet wrote on X.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the commission, expressed relief at Disney’s decision, stating, “I’m pleased to see Disney regain its resolve in the face of blatant government intimidation.”
I am glad to see Disney find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation.
More importantly, I want to thank those Americans from across the ideological spectrum who spoke loudly and courageously against this blatant attempt to silence free speech. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/7C4J7OPuTV
– Anna M. Gomez (@AGomezFCC) September 22, 2025
As of now, Jimmy Kimmel himself has not made any public comments regarding the situation.
