ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, following criticism from Republican officials over comments made by Kimmel regarding the death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. The decision was announced on Wednesday, just before filming for the next episode was set to begin.
The suspension comes after Nexstar Media Group, which owns ABC-affiliated stations, announced that it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future” due to objections over Kimmel’s comments. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr had also called for the network to take action against Kimmel, accusing him of deliberately lying about the motives of Kirk’s killer.
During his monologue on Monday, Kimmel joked about Republicans’ reactions to Kirk’s death, stating that they were trying to characterize the killer as anything other than one of their own. Carr took issue with these comments, saying that they were a distortion of the facts. The FCC chairman warned that broadcasters may risk losing their licenses if they continue to air content that displays a pattern of news distortion.
President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Kimmel and ABC, reacted to the suspension with approval, calling Kimmel “untalented” and saying that his ratings are “horrible.” Trump also called for other late-night shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, to face similar consequences.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the latest example of the pressure faced by late-night shows that are critical of Trump. In July, CBS cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a decision that was widely criticized as an attempt to appease Trump. The Trump administration has been accused of using its power to suppress lawful expression and censor opponents.
FCC member Anna Gomez criticized the Trump administration for pressuring ABC to pull Kimmel off the air, saying that it was an “inexcusable act of political violence” and a threat to freedom of speech. The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has significant implications for the future of late-night television and the role of the FCC in regulating broadcast content. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the long-term consequences will be for Kimmel and his show.
