ABC (American Broadcasting Company) has taken the unusual step of suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, pulling the late-night show off the air after growing backlash to the host’s remarks on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision followed warnings from the Federal Communications Commission and pressure from major broadcasters Nexstar and Sinclair, who both announced they would stop carrying the show.
The controversy began after Kimmel addressed Kirk’s death on air, calling it a “senseless murder” while also criticizing Donald Trump and his supporters for their reaction. During his Monday monologue, the comedian accused the so-called “MAGA Gang”(Make America Great Again) of trying to distance the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, from their base.
He remarked, “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” and compared Trump’s response to “a 4-year-old mourning a goldfish.” The following night, he mocked Vice President JD Vance for guest-hosting Kirk’s podcast and aimed at FBI Chief Kash Patel’s handling of the investigation.
Sinclair said Kimmel’s comments were “problematic,” while Nexstar labeled them “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national discourse.” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump last November, called the remarks “truly sick” and suggested regulatory consequences if ABC failed to act.
Kimmel, whose contract with the Disney-owned network runs until May 2026, has not yet publicly responded.
The suspension quickly drew political fire. Trump praised ABC’s move on Truth Social, arguing Kimmel “has ZERO talent” and should have been gone long ago. During his state visit to Britain, the president doubled down, claiming the comedian wasn’t silenced for free speech but for “lack of talent.”
Former President Barack Obama said the administration had crossed “a new and dangerous level” by threatening media outlets into compliance, while FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned against twisting political violence into an excuse for censorship.
Democrats in Congress even introduced a bill to strengthen protections for media voices, though it faces slim chances in a Republican-led House.
For now, ABC hasn’t clarified how long the suspension will last, but the move marks a rare shake-up in late-night television since the show’s debut in 2003.
