In a significant and controversial move, ABC announced on September 17, 2025, the indefinite suspension of its late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! This decision came after host Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue commentary on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked public backlash, political pressure, and regulatory threats.
Kimmel’s September 15 opening monologue focused on President Donald Trump and his supporters, whom he referred to as the “MAGA gang.” He criticized their attempts to characterize the accused shooter Tyler Robinson as disconnected from their movement amid efforts to politicize Kirk’s tragic death. The monologue ignited a firestorm across social media and political circles.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr appeared on a conservative talk show and issued warnings that ABC and its affiliate stations could risk losing broadcasting licenses if the network did not reprimand Kimmel. Soon after, major ABC affiliates, including Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would pull Kimmel’s show from their broadcast schedules.
The suspension was confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden, head of Disney TV entertainment. Inside sources suggested that Kimmel refused to apologize but intended to clarify his comments. Safety concerns for employees and advertisers also factored into the network’s decision after reports of death threats and doxxing.
The suspension sparked intense debate about free speech, government overreach, and the role of political influence in entertainment. Prominent figures from both sides of the aisle, entertainers, and constitutional scholars voiced concerns about censorship and threats to democratic discourse.
Kimmel’s contract with ABC remains active until May 2026, and while the show remains off-air, the network hopes for a possible return. Fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, expressed support and raised questions about the implications for creative freedom.
ABC’s daytime show The View initially hesitated but later publicly addressed the suspension and voiced their backing for Kimmel, emphasizing the importance of free speech.
This event marks a pivotal moment in American media, illustrating the escalating tensions surrounding political commentary, public discourse, and regulatory oversight in the media landscape.
