ABC has suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s programme Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after comments he made about the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
A spokesperson for the Disney-owned network confirmed to the BBC that the show “will be pre-empted indefinitely.” Kimmel’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The move comes after Kimmel used his Monday night monologue to accuse the “MAGA gang” of trying to “score political points” from Kirk’s killing. He also criticised flags being flown at half-mast in Kirk’s honour and mocked the president’s response, saying: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Authorities have not stated a motive for Kirk’s 10 September killing. Charging documents show the suspect’s mother said her son had recently become more political and more supportive of LGBTQ rights. The accused, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is not registered to any political party and did not vote in the 2022 or 2024 elections. He appeared in court on Tuesday charged with aggravated murder.
The suspension drew praise from former president Donald Trump, who posted on social media: “The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also attacked NBC hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers as “two total losers” with “horrible ratings.”
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, called Kimmel’s remarks “the sickest conduct possible” during a right-wing podcast on Wednesday and urged Disney to act. Carr reminded broadcasters that FCC licences require them to operate in the public interest and said an apology from Kimmel would be “a very reasonable, minimal step.”
Separately, Nexstar Media, one of the country’s largest local-station owners, announced it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future.” Broadcasting president Andrew Alford said the comedian’s remarks were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse” and that continuing to air the show was “simply not in the public interest at the current time.”
Police and network sources told CNBC that Kimmel has not been fired. ABC executives intend to speak with him about what he should say when he returns to air.
Kimmel’s suspension comes as traditional network late-night shows face declining viewership amid competition from streaming platforms. In July, CBS said The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after 33 years on air.
