Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Donald Trump is celebrating the cancellation.
Donald Trump is celebrating the cancellation.
What is happening?
ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! without a return date, following public and political backlash over the comedian’s recent comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer.
The network’s spokesperson confirmed the decision, calling it a “pre-emption,” but offered no further explanation.
Kimmel’s Monday night monologue
During his monologue, Kimmel commented on how conservatives were framing Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of right-wing figure Charlie Kirk.
“The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” Kimmel said.
Critics found the comments inflammatory, while supporters viewed them as sharp political satire.
FCC’s Brendan Carr responds with force
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Commissioner Brendan Carr quickly condemned Kimmel’s remarks, calling them “the sickest conduct possible.”
In an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Carr warned that affiliate licenses could be at risk if ABC didn’t act.
His remarks were widely viewed as an open threat against the network.
Affiliate groups move to drop Kimmel
Two major local media groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which operate ABC affiliates, announced they would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! Nexstar cited “strong objections” to Kimmel’s comments, while Sinclair went further, saying the show would remain off the air unless Kimmel and ABC took specific corrective actions.
Business interests at play
Both Nexstar and Sinclair have active merger proposals under review by the Trump-era FCC.
Observers note the timing of their statements and suggest the decisions to preempt Kimmel’s show may be motivated by a desire to curry political favor.
These groups need regulatory approval to expand their media empires.
ABC acts as pressure mounts
After Nexstar’s announcement, ABC quickly followed suit and pulled Kimmel’s show from its national schedule.
The decision came just as Kimmel was preparing to tape that night’s episode in Hollywood, catching much of the industry off guard.
Trump celebrates Kimmel’s removal
From his state visit in the UK, US-President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, praising ABC.
“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” he wrote, while also mocking other late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, calling them “losers.”
Sinclair demands apology and donation
Sinclair Broadcasting, which made a failed bid to acquire Tegna, issued a statement saying Kimmel must apologize to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful” donation to his organization, Turning Point USA.
The company added that it would not air the show again without a formal discussion with ABC.
FCC’s role in shaping the fallout
While the FCC does not traditionally police content on political grounds, Carr has pushed for a more aggressive interpretation of the agency’s “public interest” mandate.
He suggested that broadcasters who disagree with this approach should consider turning in their licenses.
Commissioner Anna Gomez pushes back
Anna Gomez, the FCC’s lone Democratic commissioner, denounced Carr’s comments. She emphasized that satire and even crude jokes are protected speech.
“This sets a dangerous new precedent,” she said, warning that succumbing to political pressure undermines First Amendment rights.
Legal complaints begin to pile up
The Center for American Rights filed a complaint with the FCC, demanding disciplinary action against ABC.
The group rejected the idea that Kimmel’s monologue was satire, arguing instead that the show failed to meet broadcast standards of public interest and decency.
Free speech advocates cry foul
Advocacy groups and artists’ unions like SAG-AFTRA condemned the suspension, calling it a form of censorship.
“Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues… endangers everyone’s freedoms,” the union said in a strongly worded statement.
Kimmel a frequent target of Trump
This isn’t the first time Jimmy Kimmel has drawn fire from Trump. The president has regularly criticized the comedian, calling him “untalented” and “a loser.”
After CBS axed The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Trump predicted Kimmel would be “next.”
Media under pressure
Kimmel’s suspension marks a new chapter in the battle over media freedom, political influence, and corporate accountability.
With broadcasters caught between government scrutiny and public expectation, the fallout from this controversy may have lasting effects on how networks handle political comedy going forward.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
