ABC said Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show would be suspended ‘indefinitely’, amid criticism of comments the comedian made about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
US President Donald Trump has applauded ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night programme following backlash over remarks the presenter made regarding the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. The broadcaster allegedly withdrew the show after multiple ABC-affiliated stations declined to broadcast it, taking issue with comments Kimmel delivered during Monday and Tuesday’s episodes. It follows South Park pulling an episode, with fans speculating it may have been to do with the show’s politically charged jokes recently.
This week, Jimmy said to his viewers that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk”.
Kirk was gunned down during an event at a Utah University campus on September 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, appeared before magistrates on Tuesday, facing charges of aggravated murder in connection with the conservative activist’s killing.
Trump lauded ABC’s action in a Truth Social post published early Thursday whilst on his UK visit, stating: “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even (Stephen) Colbert, if that’s possible.”
During Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel declared the president’s reaction to Kirk’s death “is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend” and likened FBI director Kash Patel’s management of the case to a youngster who hadn’t studied “BSing his way through an oral report”.
“The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel remarked.
“In between the finger pointing, there was grieving.”
Kimmel found himself in the firing line after he ridiculed vice president JD Vance’s decision to guest host Kirk’s podcast on his show.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely,” a spokesperson for the Disney-owned network announced to the BBC.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr also took umbrage at the comments, telling podcaster Benny Johnson they represented the “sickest conduct possible” and hinted that the FCC could revoke affiliate licences if Kimmel wasn’t disciplined.
California Governor Gavin Newsom labelled the cancellation of shows and sacking of commentators as “coordinated” and “dangerous”.
Hollywood A-listers rallied behind Kimmel, with actor Ben Stiller posting on X that the move “isn’t right”, while actress Sophia Bush lamented that the “First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore”
In July, CBS, a rival network, announced it was axing The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in May due to financial constraints. Colbert has been a vocal critic of Mr Trump.
Nexstar Communications Group, which runs over 20 ABC affiliates, declared it would drop the show from Wednesday, branding Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse”.
Sinclair, which operates the largest number of ABC affiliates, echoed similar sentiments.
In a statement posted on X, the company announced it would broadcast a special tribute to Charlie Kirk on Friday and urged Kimmel to extend a direct apology to Kirk’s family.
“Sinclair will not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability,” the statement read.
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