ABC has indefinitely pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following controversial comments by its host linking the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. The move came amid warnings from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who said ABC’s broadcast licence could be at risk due to Kimmel’s remarks.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns about 10% of ABC affiliates and is awaiting approval for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, also announced it would stop airing Kimmel’s show indefinitely across its ABC stations. Nexstar condemned the comments as offensive and not reflective of local community values.
ABC confirmed the show’s suspension but said Kimmel has not been fired. Disney plans to discuss with Kimmel how he should proceed when returning to air.
Kimmel’s Monday monologue accused the MAGA movement of trying to distance itself from Tyler Robinson, charged with killing Kirk at Utah Valley University. He said, “The MAGA Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them…”
Trump praised ABC’s decision and called for NBC to cancel similar late-night shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, criticising their ratings and talent.
Reactions have been divided. The White House quick response called Kimmel “a sick freak,” while FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticised government censorship efforts and stressed the importance of free speech. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned ABC’s move as a threat to democracy.
Unions representing Kimmel’s writers and musicians called the action censorship. Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s broadcasting president, said Kimmel’s remarks were “offensive and insensitive” and did not align with the views of local audiences.
Carr thanked Nexstar and encouraged other broadcasters to reject programming that conflicts with community standards.