ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after comments on Charlie Kirk murder suspect

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night television program has been taken off the air “indefinitely” by the Disney-owned ABC, following comments he made about the man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The prominent comedian, who has hosted the Academy Awards, suggested that the murder suspect was a supporter of President Donald Trump’s “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) movement.

Kimmel’s broadcast sparked criticism, including from Brendan Carr, the head of the US media regulator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

On Wednesday, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “removed from the schedule indefinitely.”

Trump welcomed the suspension of the program. On his Truth Social platform, the President wrote, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the guts to do what had to be done. Kimmel’s talent is ZERO, and his ratings are even worse than Colbert’s, if that’s possible.”

Trump also referred to rival late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, adding, “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two real losers on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also terrible. Get it done NBC!!!”

Disney’s decision marks an escalation in Trump’s campaign against media figures with liberal leanings.

The controversy began with Kimmel’s comments on Monday’s broadcast, where he said, “This weekend, we hit a new low as the MAGA mob did everything they could to try and claim this guy who killed Charlie Kirk as one of their own and score political points on it.”

The removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! comes two months after CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Colbert had criticized Paramount, the network’s owner, for its decision to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump while seeking FCC approval for a deal with Skydance.

Trump later praised the cancellation of Colbert’s show, posting, “The even less talented Jimmy Kimmel is next.”

Shortly thereafter, the FCC approved the sale of CBS to Skydance.

Carr, a Trump appointee to the FCC, has made it clear that the media regulator is prepared to pressure broadcasters.

On Wednesday, Carr described Kimmel’s on-air comments as “the most disgusting conduct possible” and warned that his agency could revoke the licenses of ABC’s affiliates if Disney failed to act.

ABC’s announcement came shortly after Nexstar, a large network of local TV stations, dropped Kimmel’s program from its schedule.

Nexstar stated that it “strongly objects to Kimmel’s recent comments regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk.”