ABC halts Jimmy Kimmel Live! after host’s comments on Charlie Kirk’s killing spark FCC criticism and political pressure from Trump.
ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! Amid Political Pressure
Network Decision Sparks Sudden Halt
ABC announced Wednesday it will indefinitely suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! following remarks made by the late-night host about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move came just hours after U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s commentary and suggested stations risked regulatory scrutiny if they continued broadcasting the show.
Nexstar Affiliates Lead Early Withdrawal
Earlier in the day, Nexstar Media Group, the largest U.S. local broadcaster, said its 32 ABC affiliates would stop carrying the program. Nexstar cited Kimmel’s monologue, which it called “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in national discourse.” The decision was announced just as an audience lined up outside the Hollywood theatre where the show tapes, leaving fans and guests unaware until minutes before recording was cancelled.
Audience and Guests Left in Limbo
Would-be audience members said they were surprised by the abrupt notice. Actor Wanda Sykes, who had been scheduled as a guest, posted on Instagram that she learned the cancellation came only after she was prepared to appear on-air. She linked the decision directly to complaints from the Trump administration.
Trump Applauds Suspension
U.S. President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision on his social media platform, calling Kimmel “zero talent” and urging NBC to remove other late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. Trump has repeatedly clashed with media companies, calling on regulators to revoke broadcast licences of networks he claims are biased.
Kimmel’s Remarks at Centre of Controversy
In a recent monologue, Kimmel criticized attempts to recast Kirk’s killer and mocked Trump’s public display of grief. Comparing the president’s response to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel’s comments sparked immediate backlash among conservative figures. Neither the host nor Disney, ABC’s parent company, provided further explanation beyond confirming the program’s suspension.
Political and Cultural Fallout
The suspension drew swift condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and entertainers. Senator Chuck Schumer warned it represented a direct threat to free speech, while actor Ben Stiller called it “not right.” California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Republicans of “censoring you in real time.” FCC commissioner Anna Gomez also criticized Carr, saying the administration was “using government power to suppress lawful expression.”
Regulatory Stakes Ahead
Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested ABC affiliates could face investigations and fines if they continued airing content he deemed distorted. He praised Nexstar’s decision as “unprecedented but necessary.” The development comes as Nexstar seeks regulatory approval for a $6.2-billion acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna, placing the company’s relationship with the FCC under close scrutiny.
Broader Media Climate
The move against Kimmel follows the July cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, officially attributed to financial reasons but widely debated as politically motivated. Trump has celebrated both decisions, continuing his campaign against networks he views as hostile. For Canadian viewers, ABC programming is carried through cable and satellite providers, meaning the suspension will affect late-night lineups across the border.
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