ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air on Wednesday “indefinitely” following the host’s controversial comments linking the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
The decision came hours after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr warned that ABC’s broadcast license could be in jeopardy. ABC, which is owned by Disney, confirmed the suspension in a statement Wednesday night. A person familiar with the situation told CNBC that Kimmel has not been fired but will remain off the air until further notice.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns about 10% of ABC affiliates, said earlier in the day that it would no longer carry Kimmel’s program “for the foreseeable future” in its markets. Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, which owns about 5% of ABC affiliates.
In his Monday night monologue, Kimmel suggested that Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Kirk on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, was aligned with Trump’s movement. “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.
Carr, appointed to the FCC under Trump, called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and warned ABC and Disney that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He suggested the network’s broadcast license could face scrutiny if it did not act.
Trump celebrated the suspension, posting on Truth Social that ABC had “finally had the courage to do what had to be done,” and urged NBC to cancel its own late-night shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
The White House rapid response account on X also weighed in, calling Kimmel a “sick freak.” Meanwhile, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Biden appointee, condemned the move, warning that government pressure on speech risked undermining free expression. “Free expression is non-negotiable,” she wrote on X.
The fallout drew swift backlash from unions and free speech advocates. The Writers Guild of America called the suspension an act of “corporate cowardice,” while the American Federation of Musicians labeled it “state censorship.” Ari Cohn of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the timing showed “the government pressured ABC — and ABC caved.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized the decision, saying it threatened democracy. “Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what’s happening to Jimmy Kimmel,” he wrote.
Nexstar defended its decision, with broadcasting president Andrew Alford saying Kimmel’s remarks about Kirk’s death were “offensive and insensitive” and not aligned with the “values of the local communities” its stations serve. Carr later praised Nexstar for “doing the right thing” and urged other broadcasters to follow suit.
The suspension marks the latest clash between media outlets and regulators over politically charged commentary. Earlier this year, ABC cut ties with correspondent Terry Moran after remarks about Trump, and last December the network paid $15 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump over statements by anchor George Stephanopoulos.
For now, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” remains off the air as Disney executives prepare to meet with the host about his return.
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