BREAKING: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended indefinitely by ABC following urgent backlash over remarks he made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension was confirmed just hours ago, creating a media frenzy and drawing attention from political figures, including former President Donald Trump.
Kimmel’s comments during his Monday monologue insinuated that Kirk’s alleged murderer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, might be linked to the pro-Trump MAGA movement. Kimmel stated, “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” igniting fierce criticism.
The fallout led several affiliates, including those owned by Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, to announce they would indefinitely preempt Kimmel’s show. Video footage captured Kimmel leaving his Hollywood studio on Wednesday night, appearing downcast in a black hat and plaid shirt, shortly after the suspension news broke.
Members of the audience gathered outside the studio were left shocked as they arrived to watch the show. “We were just about to walk in— they waited to pull the plug on this right as the studio audience was about to walk in,” said Tommy Williams from Jacksonville, Florida. “They didn’t tell us what had happened; they just said that the show was canceled.”
The suspension aligns with comments made by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who indicated that the agency could take action against Kimmel for spreading misinformation. “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr stated during a podcast. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Both Disney and Nexstar are currently seeking regulatory approvals from the FCC, which could further complicate their business dealings. Disney is pursuing approval for ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Network, while Nexstar seeks clearance for its $6.2 billion acquisition of broadcast competitor Tegna.
Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension on social media, referring to it as “Great News for America.” He suggested that Kimmel’s fellow late-night hosts, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon, might be next. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
This controversy is not Kimmel’s first brush with political backlash. The late-night landscape has become increasingly contentious, with Kimmel and others frequently targeting Trump in their routines. Observers are questioning whether Kimmel’s political commentary may have influenced ABC’s decision, especially as CBS faced scrutiny over the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
As the situation develops, many are left wondering what this means for the future of late-night television and Kimmel’s career. Viewers are now looking for updates on the potential next steps for both Kimmel and ABC as the fallout continues.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story as it unfolds.
