ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live “indefinitely.”
A spokesperson for the network confirmed on Wednesday that the show will be pre-empted, following pressure from TV station giant Nexstar Media. The company had threatened to stop airing the program in its affiliated stations after Kimmel’s comments on the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
According to Variety, Nexstar told ABC it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
The move came shortly after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr warned that he was considering an official probe into Kimmel’s remarks. Carr accused the comedian of making “some of the sickest conduct possible” and said the FCC could take disciplinary action against the networks if needed.
“They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with an obligation to operate in the public interest,” Carr said during an appearance on The Benny Show podcast.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, reacting to the development from England where he was on a state visit, praised ABC’s decision.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
He went further to call Kimmel “ZERO talent” and urged other networks to cancel similar shows.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested a suspect three days later.
On Monday night’s episode of his show, Kimmel criticized what he called attempts by the “MAGA gang” to politicize Kirk’s killing. He had earlier posted condolences to Kirk’s family on social media, writing:
“Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Carr later thanked Nexstar for taking action against Kimmel, saying broadcasters must “push back on Disney programming that falls short of community values.”
