Jimmy Kimmel's wife pleaded with her husband, saying: "Please don't read this," in a warning regarding Donald Trump.
The 57-year-old host recently found himself at the center of a political storm after making controversial remarks about the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
During his September 15 monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host addressed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Kirk during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Kimmel’s comment - “The MAGA Gang is desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” - quickly sparked outrage.
He doubled down a few days later, adding: “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Molly McNearney warned Kimmel at the Oscars
The controversy surrounding Kimmel's remarks was not the first time the comedian found himself in hot water over political comments.
Earlier this year, while hosting the 2024 Academy Awards, the comedian decided to read aloud a scathing post from President Donald Trump, who had mocked the host's performance and the ceremony itself.
The post, which was shared on Truth Social, read: "Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be."
At the time, Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, who is also a co-executive producer of the show, had strongly advised against giving the 79-year-old's words airtime.
"Please don't read this. I don't want to give Trump airtime in the Oscars. This is the one time we don't have to talk about him," she reportedly told her husband, per The Mirror.
However, Kimmel insisted on reading the post aloud before retorting with a witty response of his own: “Isn’t it past your jail time?” - earning him applause from the audience.
The Fallout and Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Kimmel’s comments about Kirk's death led to his show being temporarily pulled from the air by ABC, and it wasn’t long before the controversy spread.
Hollywood unions, including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA, condemned the suspension, calling it an attack on free speech.
WGA West and East issued a statement saying: "The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other - to disturb, even - is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people."
While some defended Kimmel’s right to speak his mind, others criticized him for politicizing a tragedy.
The public debate intensified after Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the suspension, writing: “Great News for America: The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.”
Trump continued to take aim at NBC’s other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon, suggesting that NBC should cancel them too.
Jimmy Fallon Cancels Appearance Amid Backlash
The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks also had a ripple effect on his fellow late-night host, Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon, who was scheduled to appear at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival on September 18 to discuss his upcoming NBC reality show, On Brand, abruptly canceled his appearance.
A spokesperson for Fast Company stated: "In light of recent events, Jimmy couldn't be here."
Though Kimmel has not been fired, sources say ABC executives are set to meet with him ahead of any potential return, contingent on meeting undisclosed conditions.