In a stunning escalation of tensions surrounding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, ABC announced Wednesday evening that it has suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. The decision follows widespread backlash over remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel during his Monday night monologue, where he suggested the suspected shooter in Kirk’s killing was aligned with the MAGA movement.
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent figure in conservative politics, was fatally shot on September 10 while delivering a presentation at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson shortly after, charging him with aggravated murder. Law enforcement later revealed that Robinson held liberal political views and had expressed disdain for Kirk in private communications, a detail that fueled criticism of Kimmel’s commentary.
During the episode in question, Kimmel opened his show by lambasting what he described as efforts by “the MAGA gang” to distance themselves from the suspect. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize 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 said. He also mocked President Donald Trump’s response to the tragedy, comparing it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish” after Trump pivoted to discussing White House renovations during a press query about his grief.
The comments ignited immediate outrage from conservative circles, with calls for ABC to take action. Major affiliate groups, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, quickly moved to preempt the show on their stations. Nexstar, which operates ABC affiliates in numerous markets, stated it would not air the program “for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show,” citing Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.” Sinclair echoed the sentiment, announcing it would replace Kimmel’s slot with a one-hour special tribute to Kirk on Friday and demanding a direct apology from the host, along with a “meaningful” donation to Kirk’s family and Turning Point USA.
The network’s suspension came amid mounting pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, appeared on Fox News’ “Hannity” Wednesday night and warned that ABC and its parent company, Disney, could face regulatory action for failing to serve the “public interest.” Carr specifically referenced Kimmel and CBS’s Stephen Colbert, suggesting their shows appeal to a “very narrow audience” and risk license revocation if they continue such content. President Trump amplified the controversy with a social media post declaring, “The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.”
ABC’s statement was terse: “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be pre-empted indefinitely.” Representatives for Kimmel and Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This marks a rare instance of a major network pulling a flagship late-night program, underscoring the politicized atmosphere surrounding Kirk’s death. Kirk has been hailed as a hero by many on the right, with campaigns urging employers to discipline those perceived as minimizing the tragedy or criticizing the activist.
Prominent Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Adam Schiff, decried the move as an assault on free speech. Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech.” Schiff highlighted ongoing lawsuits against media outlets and White House access restrictions, warning of the erosion of the First Amendment.
On the other side, conservative commentators celebrated the decision. One X user posted, “Good. Time for late night to drop the fake outrage and try some actual class,” while acknowledging free speech concerns. The incident has broader implications, coming amid a wave of professional repercussions for individuals commenting on Kirk’s murder, including job losses for those seen as justifying or downplaying the violence.
Kimmel had initially condemned the shooting on Instagram hours after it occurred, writing, “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.” The host’s history of sharp political satire, often targeting Trump and conservatives, has made him a lightning rod in polarized times.
As the nation grapples with Kirk’s legacy and the surge in political violence, the suspension raises questions about the boundaries of comedy, broadcast standards, and government influence over media. For now, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”—a staple since 2003—remains off the air, with no timeline for its return.