ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following controversy over comments the late-night host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network announced on Wednesday that the show will be suspended indefinitely. The move came after backlash from political figures, media companies, and the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
An ABC spokesperson confirmed that the show would be “preempted indefinitely.” This announcement followed public outrage over remarks Kimmel made during his Monday night monologue. He had criticized attempts to politicize Kirk’s death, while also mocking former President Donald Trump’s muted response to a reporter’s question about the killing.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. A 22-year-old man from Utah has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting. Kimmel had earlier called the killing “senseless” and posted a message on social media expressing sympathy to Kirk’s family and other victims of gun violence.
However, what drew anger was Kimmel’s comment about political groups trying to use the tragedy for their own gain. He said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with 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.”
Trump reacted strongly to the segment, praising ABC on his Truth Social account for taking Kimmel’s show off the air. Trump wrote that ABC showed “courage” by suspending the show. He also noted that CBS recently canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, another outspoken critic of the former president. Trump claimed this leaves only “Jimmy and Seth” — referring to Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers — and urged NBC to cancel them as well.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr also criticized Kimmel’s comments and warned ABC stations that carried the show. In an interview with podcaster Benny Johnson, Carr said, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Carr’s comments added pressure on broadcasters that air Jimmy Kimmel Live! Nexstar, which operates 32 ABC stations and is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger, announced it would remove the show from its schedule. Soon after, Sinclair Broadcast Group followed and called for further steps. Sinclair said suspending the show was not enough and asked Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and make a donation to them and to Turning Point USA, the conservative group Kirk founded.
Sinclair also said it will replace Kimmel’s show on Friday with a televised tribute to Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel and his production team have not yet responded to the controversy or to ABC’s decision. NPR reported that requests for comment from Kimmel have gone unanswered.
Despite the backlash, Kimmel has received widespread support from public figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as comedians, actors, and free speech groups. Entertainment unions have also spoken out. SAG-AFTRA and the Musicians Union both sent letters defending Kimmel’s right to speak freely.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents writers for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also released a statement opposing efforts to silence the show’s creative team. The WGA said, “The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other — to disturb, even — is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people.”
Kimmel has not said whether he plans to return to television soon. For now, ABC has not announced what will replace his show in its late-night schedule or how long the suspension will last.
