NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel’s television future hung in the balance Thursday after ABC suspended his late-night show following the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing, which prompted dozens of stations to say they wouldn’t air the show, a move that was cheered on by a top federal regulator.
The veteran late-night comic made several remarks about the reaction to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, including saying many in MAGA land are working to capitalize on the murder.
ABC responded quickly after Nexstar Communications Group, which operates numerous ABC affiliates, announced it would halt airing Kimmel’s show due to the offensive and insensitive nature of his comments during a critical time in national political discourse. Sinclair, managing 38 local stations, not only called for Kimmel to apologize but also declared it would air a tribute to Kirk during Kimmel's time slot.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr supported local affiliates’ moves to push back against ABC, stating, “We’re reinvigorating the FCC’s enforcement of the public interest,” which is particularly concerning to Kimmel, whose contract is up in May 2026.
In a social media response, former President Donald Trump celebrated ABC's decision, implying a political undertone to Kimmel's suspension. Trump has previously criticized both Kimmel and fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert.
The fallout from Kimmel's comments included claims from Carr that Kimmel and ABC were misleading the public about the nature of Kirk's assassin. Kimmel suggested the suspect’s affiliation with pro-Trump ideologies, which his family refuted, stating he had shifted politically left and rejected those views.
The situation illustrates the intersection of politics and media amid heightened sensitivities surrounding public discourse, especially concerning tragedies like Kirk's assassination. As Kimmel navigates these turbulent waters, his ability to return to late-night television remains uncertain.
