ABC has announced an indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following controversial remarks made by the host regarding the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk.
The decision came shortly after Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission chair appointed during the Trump administration, warned broadcasters that failure to act against Kimmel could jeopardize their licenses.
On the evening of Wednesday, September 17, Disney-owned ABC confirmed it would pull the late-night show from its lineup for an unspecified duration.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be preempted indefinitely,” an ABC representative stated, indicating that alternative programming will fill the time slot.
Former President Donald Trump praised the network’s move on social media, calling it “great news for America” and commending ABC’s “courage.”
He further criticized NBC’s late-night hosts, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, labeling them “total losers” and referencing the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s program, implying pressure on rival networks.
The suspension followed swift backlash from major US television station owners. Nexstar Media, one of the largest station groups, expressed strong disapproval of Kimmel’s comments and declared it would preempt any episodes airing on its stations nationwide “for the foreseeable future.”
Similarly, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns more ABC affiliates than any other company including Nexstar, announced plans to air a tribute to Charlie Kirk during Kimmel’s usual time slot on Friday.
Prior to ABC’s action, FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly urged local broadcasters to cease airing Kimmel’s show, warning of potential fines or license revocations during an interview on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast.
Carr later commended Nexstar’s decision on social media, emphasizing broadcasters’ responsibility to serve the public interest. “While unprecedented, it is crucial for stations to reject Disney content that fails to meet community standards,” he wrote.
Kimmel’s contentious remarks came during his Monday monologue, days after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while on a speaking tour in Utah. Kimmel accused supporters of the MAGA movement of attempting to mischaracterize the shooter as anything other than one of their own and exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
The accused, Tyler Robinson, faces charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and witness tampering, with the possibility of the death penalty.
In his Tuesday opening monologue, Kimmel reiterated that many in the MAGA camp were trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death. He criticized Vice President JD Vance for blaming the political left without evidence.
Vance had claimed, while hosting an episode of Kirk’s podcast from the White House, that “most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left,” a statement Kimmel dismissed as “complete nonsense,” citing a study identifying far-right groups as the leading source of domestic terrorism and extremist violence in the US-a study since removed from the Department of Justice’s website.
Kimmel challenged Vance by asking who was responsible for the threats against the previous vice president, referencing the January 6 Capitol riot and questioning whether that was the work of the left or right-wing extremists.
Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, condemned Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive during a critical moment in our national political conversation.”
“Continuing to provide Mr. Kimmel with a platform in the communities we serve is not in the public interest at this time,” Alford said. “We have made the difficult choice to preempt his show to encourage a return to respectful and constructive dialogue.”
Kimmel has yet to respond publicly to the suspension.
The incident has sparked debate among Americans, with many questioning whether free speech is under threat in the United States.
Below is a video featuring the statement by Jimmy Kimmel that triggered the suspension of his show.
0 Comments