ABC has suspended its long-running late-night program after Jimmy Kimmel was suspended over remarks he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move comes after a group of ABC-affiliated stations refused to air the show, escalating the fallout over Kimmel’s commentary.
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel after affiliates’ pressure
Kimmel, a veteran host since 2003, made pointed comments on Monday and Tuesday about political reactions to Kirk’s death. On air, he accused Trump supporters of “working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Nexstar Communications Group, which operates 23 ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer broadcast the show. Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s broadcasting president, said Kimmel’s remarks were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.” Within hours, ABC suspended the show indefinitely.
Kimmel has not commented publicly since the suspension. His contract runs until May 2026, leaving uncertainty about his future on late-night television.
Trump celebrates Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension
President Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, congratulating ABC for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also demanded that NBC’s Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers face similar cancellations, calling them “two total losers.”
At the White House, deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich echoed the praise, posting on social media: “Welcome to Consequence Culture. Normal, common sense Americans are no longer taking the nonsense and companies like ABC are finally willing to do the right and reasonable thing.”
What Jimmy Kimmel said before suspension
Kimmel first raised controversy on Monday night, criticizing what he described as MAGA leaders’ attempts to politicize Kirk’s killing. “We hit some new lows over the weekend,” he said, “with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
He accused Trump of reacting immaturely: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.” Kimmel also mocked FBI Director Kash Patel, saying he handled the investigation “like a kid who didn’t read the book, BS’ing his way through an oral report.”
On Tuesday, Kimmel returned to the subject, joking about Vice President JD Vance’s guest-hosting role on Kirk’s podcast and accusing Trump of “fanning the flames” by attacking political opponents.
Background on Charlie Kirk’s killing
Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with Kirk’s murder during an appearance at Utah Valley University last week. Investigators say Robinson grew up in a conservative household but embraced left-leaning politics and LGBTQ rights in recent years.
According to Utah records, Robinson registered to vote but did not cast ballots in two recent general elections. Prosecutors said he confessed in text messages to targeting Kirk, telling his transgender partner that he had “had enough of his hatred.”
Court documents reveal Robinson left a note outlining his intent before the shooting. Defense attorneys argue mental health will be central to his case.
Jimmy Kimmel suspension highlights late-night tensions
The suspension of Kimmel’s show marks another shake-up in late-night television. Earlier this year, CBS confirmed it would cancel Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” at the end of the season, citing financial pressures. Critics have speculated that Colbert’s outspoken criticism of Trump also played a role.
Kimmel has long taken sharp aim at Trump and conservative politics, aligning himself with hosts like Colbert who view comedy as a platform for political critique. With his show now shelved, questions loom over whether late-night television will continue to feature such outspoken voices.
What’s next after Jimmy Kimmel suspended by ABC
For ABC, the suspension signals a delicate balancing act between affiliate demands, advertiser concerns, and public reaction. Affiliates play a critical role in determining what content reaches viewers, and Nexstar’s decision forced the network’s hand.
Industry analysts suggest ABC could explore temporary guest hosts or reruns while it evaluates Kimmel’s contract. Others believe the network may use the controversy as an opening to reimagine its late-night lineup.
For Kimmel, the suspension could either mark a temporary setback or the beginning of an exit from the network after two decades. His silence since the controversy suggests legal and contractual considerations may be at play.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the fallout: ABC affiliates refusing to air the show, Trump and allies celebrating the move, and critics warning about political pressure shaping network decisions.
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