ABC, Disney and affiliate Nexstar have pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show from broadcast schedules after the comedian sparked outrage with remarks about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel, who claimed the “MAGA gang” was responsible for Kirk’s death and mocked President Donald Trump’s response, reportedly refused to apologize on air.
The controversy began following Kimmel’s Monday broadcast, in which he singled out Trump for an alleged flippant reaction to the murder.
Multiple statements and gestures from the president appeared to contradict Kimmel’s claims, but the comedian maintained that his comments required no correction.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter that Kimmel intended to address the backlash but had no plans to apologize.
In an earlier report, Resist the Mainstream highlighted that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson jumpstarted the networks’ decision.
Carr expressed concern over Kimmel’s statements and the potential public impact, signaling regulatory consequences that encouraged swift action.
Telecom insiders told the New York Post that Nexstar and ABC were motivated to act because Kimmel’s monologue complicated Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna.
Carr’s expansive interpretation of the FCC’s public interest standard meant continuing to air the show could jeopardize merger approval.
Following the broadcast, Nexstar Media Group confirmed that all ABC-affiliated stations in its network would preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “for the foreseeable future,” citing the offensive nature of the remarks.
Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said continuing to air the program was “simply not in the public interest” and emphasized the decision aimed to foster “cooler heads” and promote respectful dialogue.
ABC and Disney mirrored this action, describing the suspension as necessary during a critical time in national discourse, Breitbart reports.
Conservative commentators widely condemned Kimmel’s statements.
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld called the comedian “done” and highlighted the misinformation in attributing Kirk’s murder to MAGA supporters.
“The guy who shot and killed Charlie Kirk was more likely a fan of yours than he was MAGA,” Gutfeld said, pointing out the dangers of false narratives around politically motivated violence.
Media personalities criticized Kimmel’s attempt at humor, arguing it crossed an ethical line by targeting a recently murdered conservative leader.
On X, Stephen A. Smith questioned the comedic value of the monologue, asking, “Where was the joke? Obviously, it wasn’t funny about that.”
Some left-leaning voices framed the suspension as censorship, suggesting that removing Kimmel from the airwaves infringed on free speech.
Piers Morgan criticized this perspective, highlighting that networks have the right to enforce consequences for spreading misinformation, especially when it relates to violent events.
Telecom experts noted that while Kimmel’s remarks might have been legally protected under previous administrations, the FCC’s regulatory authority over broadcast licenses allowed networks to act preemptively to protect their mergers and acquisitions.
The suspension has sparked discussion about broadcast accountability, illustrating the influence networks hold in regulating content.
Nexstar and ABC’s actions demonstrate that media organizations can enforce standards when commentary risks spreading falsehoods or inciting outrage.
For TPUSA and Kirk’s supporters, the controversy underscores broader concerns about media bias and misinformation surrounding conservative figures.
Ultimately, Kimmel’s suspension reflects a rare instance of broadcast partners taking decisive action in response to statements deemed inappropriate, showing that major networks can enforce accountability while navigating the fine line between free speech and ethical reporting.
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