ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air indefinitely after remarks the comedian made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked a wave of political and media backlash.
The Walt Disney-owned network announced the decision Wednesday, just hours after Nexstar Media Group, which operates dozens of ABC affiliates, said it would no longer broadcast the late-night program. Nexstar cited Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time.”
Kimmel, who has hosted the show since 2003 and appeared on the Oscars stage four times, criticized supporters of Donald Trump during his Monday monologue. He suggested that the “MAGA gang” was trying to shift the narrative about Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old now charged with aggravated murder. Kimmel also mocked the reaction of Trump, comparing it to a child’s behavior.
The fallout was swift. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a Trump appointee, said Kimmel’s words displayed “sick conduct” and urged ABC and Disney to act. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said in a podcast appearance, adding that broadcasters have obligations to serve the public interest.
Trump praised ABC’s move, posting on his Truth Social platform that the cancellation was “great news for America.” He also urged NBC to drop its own late-night lineup, saying other hosts such as Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers should be next.
Outside the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, where Jimmy Kimmel Live! is taped, fans who had been waiting to attend were turned away. Some expressed frustration, saying the host was being silenced for sharing an opinion. Small groups of protesters gathered outside, holding signs critical of Trump.
Reactions within Hollywood were divided. Actors Ben Stiller, Jean Smart, and Jamie Lee Curtis voiced support for Kimmel, calling the suspension an attack on free speech. Singer John Legend and actor Josh Gad echoed similar views, while Alison Brie described the move as “scary.” The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA condemned the decision, warning that government pressure on broadcasters endangers creative freedom.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, another large ABC affiliate operator, said it would replace Kimmel’s show with a special honoring Kirk, set to air Friday. Nexstar and Sinclair both have major business before the FCC, including mergers and license renewals, raising questions about whether political considerations influenced their actions.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted late-night hosts. Earlier this year, CBS announced plans to end Stephen Colbert’s Late Show next spring. Trump quickly celebrated that decision as well.
Kimmel has not issued a public statement since the suspension. A person familiar with the situation told reporters that ABC has not fired him, but network executives expect further conversations about his return and the conditions under which the show might resume.
The controversy comes at a turbulent moment for late-night television. With audiences increasingly shifting to streaming platforms and political divisions shaping programming decisions, the future of network talk shows appears more uncertain than ever.
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