ABC yanks Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show after backlash over Charlie Kirk comments

“‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson said, offering no further details.

A representative for Kimmel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The controversy stemmed from Kimmel’s Monday night monologue in which he suggested that Tyler Robinson, who is accused of shooting and killing Kirk last week at a university in Utah, was linked to US President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

“The MAGA Gang is 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. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

The remarks triggered swift political and regulatory reaction. US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr called the comments “truly sick” in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, warning ABC’s owner, Disney.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr said.

He added that broadcasters “have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest.”

Nexstar Media Group, which operates ABC affiliates, announced that it would pull the show “for the foreseeable future.”

Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views or values of the local communities in which we are located.”

Meanwhile, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, pushed back on Carr’s threats.

Speaking on CNN, she said: “The First Amendment does not allow us, the FCC, to tell broadcasters what they can broadcast. This sets a dangerous new precedent, and companies must stand firm against any efforts to trade away First Amendment freedom.”

Trump, who has long sparred with Kimmel, praised the decision on his Truth Social account.

“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even (comedian and talk show host Stephen) Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and (Late Night host) Seth (Myers), two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”

Advocacy groups such as the Center for American Rights have already filed complaints with the FCC, arguing that satire does not shield Kimmel from accountability. For now, Disney has not fired the host but plans to review the controversy before deciding on his return.