Jimmy Kimmel’s popular late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has been suspended indefinitely by ABC starting Wednesday, following heated backlash over Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
On Monday’s episode, Kimmel criticized the MAGA movement and mocked Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death, calling Trump’s grief “like a four-year-old mourning a goldfish.” This sparked outrage, especially among conservatives and Trump supporters.
Nexstar Media Group, a large ABC affiliate owner, announced it would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its stations, citing “strong objections” to Kimmel’s remarks. This was preceded by warnings from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who threatened fines or license revocations against stations continuing to air Kimmel’s show.
While ABC confirmed the indefinite suspension, Jimmy Kimmel had reportedly planned to address the controversy but lost the platform before he could.
President Trump, present in the UK on a state visit, praised the decision on Truth Social, calling Kimmel a “loser” with poor ratings and congratulating ABC for having the “courage to do what had to be done.” He also slammed late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, urging NBC to cancel their shows as well.
The suspension marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle between conservative figures and mainstream late-night comedy, highlighting tensions over political commentary and media censorship.
