ABC has decided to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely following backlash over remarks he made after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. An ABC spokesperson announced the decision on Wednesday evening, indicating that "Jimmy Kimmel Live" would be preempted for an unspecified duration.
The controversy intensified when Nexstar, a major ABC affiliate, declared it would also remove Kimmel’s show from its programming. Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, criticized Kimmel’s comments as "offensive and insensitive" during a time of heightened political tension. He emphasized that airing Kimmel’s show did not align with the interests of the communities they serve, prompting the affiliate to take action.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr weighed in on the issue, suggesting that ABC affiliates airing Kimmel’s comments might face repercussions for not acting in the public interest. He described Kimmel’s remarks as "some of the sickest conduct possible" during an interview.
Kimmel’s comments came after a shooting incident that resulted in Kirk’s death, where he claimed the gunman was part of the "MAGA gang" and mocked former President Donald Trump’s reaction to the tragedy. Kimmel’s remarks were seen as part of a broader narrative that Carr believes misrepresents the shooter’s background.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who is receiving updates on the investigation, described the suspect as being "deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology." The suspect was reportedly living with a partner who identifies as transgender.
In a related note, Trump had previously predicted that Kimmel’s show would face cancellation, especially after the cancellation of another late-night show hosted by Stephen Colbert. Following the news of Kimmel’s suspension, Trump took to Truth Social to express his approval, calling it "great news for America" and criticizing Kimmel’s talent and ratings.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how long Kimmel’s show will be off the air and what the future holds for late-night television amid shifting viewer preferences and political sensitivities.
