Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running late-night show has been pulled from ABC after backlash over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
The network confirmed Jimmy Kimmel Live! — which has aired for 22 years — was being dropped “indefinitely” following his remarks during a Monday monologue.
Actor Rob Lowe and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox star Grace Van Patten had been set to appear before the cancellation, with Margo Price scheduled to perform.
ABC quickly filled the 11:35PM slot with Steve Harvey’s Celebrity Family Feud, which debuted in 2015.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about the assassination of Charlie Kirk?
During his monologue, Kimmel took aim at Kirk’s suspected killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, and criticized Donald Trump’s response.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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,” Kimmel said.
Investigators have said Robinson held far-left and anti-fascist political beliefs.
Kimmel also targeted Trump directly: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, okay?”
The host went on to slam FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing him of mishandling the investigation.
“Like a kid who didn’t read the book, BSing his way through an oral report.”
By Tuesday night, Kimmel doubled down — this time ridiculing Vice President JD Vance, who had stepped in as a guest host on Kirk’s podcast after the shooting.
“Trump is fanning the flames by attacking people on the left,” Kimmel said.
“Which is it - are they a bunch of sissy pickleball players because they're too scared to be hit by tennis balls, or a well-organized, deadly team of commandos? Because they can't be both of those things.”
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.
How did ABC’s affiliate groups respond?
The fallout spread quickly. Nexstar and Sinclair, two of ABC’s affiliate groups, dropped Kimmel’s show following his remarks.
Nexstar president Andrew Alford said the comments were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”
Sinclair also pushed back, with Vice Chairman Jason Smith stating: “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”
On Friday, Sinclair will air a special tribute to Kirk in Kimmel’s former slot, and the network plans to offer it to ABC affiliates nationwide.
Former President Donald Trump cheered Kimmel’s removal, writing on social media: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.
"Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that's possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
Meanwhile, Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, told Fox News that Kimmel was “suffering the consequences” of his actions. Speaking to conservative host Benny Johnson, Carr described Kimmel’s conduct as “some of the sickest conduct possible” and hinted the FCC may investigate.