ABC has suspended *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* indefinitely after Republican officials criticized Kimmel’s remarks about 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. Nexstar Media Group, which owns ABC‑affiliated stations, also said it would not air the show “for the foreseeable future” because of objections to Kimmel’s comments.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr called for action against the network, accusing Kimmel of deliberately lying about the motives of Kirk’s killer. In his Monday monologue, Kimmel joked that Republicans were trying to portray the killer as someone other than one of their own. Carr said those remarks distorted the facts and warned that broadcasters could risk losing their licenses if they continue to air content that shows a pattern of news distortion.
President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of Kimmel and ABC, welcomed the suspension, calling Kimmel “untalented” and saying his ratings are “horrible.” Trump also urged that other late‑night shows, such as *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* and *Late Night with Seth Meyers*, face similar consequences. The move adds to the pressure on late‑night programs that are critical of Trump. In July, CBS cancelled *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, a decision widely condemned as an attempt to appease the president.
The Trump administration has been accused of using its power to suppress lawful expression and censor opponents. FCC member Anna Gómez criticized the administration’s pressure on ABC to pull Kimmel off the air, describing it as “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 FCC’s role in regulating broadcast content. As the situation unfolds, the long‑term consequences for Kimmel and his show remain uncertain.
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