Donald Trump has shared his delight after it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live will be taken off the air "indefinitely" after the late-night host's comments about Charlie Kirk.
The 57-year-old host sparked outrage this week after suggesting that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting the conservative activist, might be aligned with Trump supporters.
“The MAGA Gang [is] 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,” he said during his Monday night (September 15) monologue.
The following day, he doubled down, adding: “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Kimmel also singled out Vice President JD Vance, saying “the president and his henchmen are doing their best to fan the flames, so they can, I guess, attack people on the dangerous left.”
ABC pulls show after backlash
Kimmel’s comments quickly drew condemnation from Trump allies and federal officials.
On Wednesday (September 17), ABC confirmed the late-night programme would be “preempted indefinitely.”
Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said the company “strongly objects” to Kimmel’s remarks, Sky News reported.
FCC commissioner Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, went further, calling the segment “the sickest conduct possible” and accusing Kimmel of trying to “play into a narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or Republican motivated person,” per The Guardian,
Speaking on the conservative Benny Show podcast, Carr said broadcasters have “an obligation to operate in the public interest” and urged Disney, ABC’s parent company, to discipline the host.
He suggested that an apology would be “a very reasonable, minimal step” and warned that networks could face fines or even license revocation if no action was taken.
Trump cheers decision as other celebrities push back
The president celebrated the network’s move on Truth Social, writing: “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 [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!" he added.
Meanwhile, other prominent stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis, John Legend, and Ben Stiller, slammed the suspension.
Curtis shared a Kimmel quote on her Instagram Story that read: “I don’t think anybody should be canceled. I really don’t.”
Legend reposted a message from David Frum mocking Republican outrage: “‘How dare you call us fascists just because our appointees threaten government retaliation against broadcast networks if their comedians don’t say what we want them to say.’”
Stiller reposted news of the decision on X, adding simply: “This isn’t right.”
Democrats and Hollywood unions have also chimed in, denouncing the move as political censorship.
Senator Ed Markey wrote on X: “This is censorship in action. @FCC chair threatens ABC and Disney over Kimmel’s comments. Hours later, he’s off air. It’s dangerous and unconstitutional."
"The message to every media company is clear: Adopt the MAGA line or the Federal Censorship Commission will come after you," he added.
Anna Gomez, the FCC’s only Democratic commissioner, echoed the warning: “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship or control.”
What’s next for Kimmel?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kimmel had prepared to address the backlash on Wednesday’s show, but not to apologize, but to instead clarify that his remarks were taken out of context.
A person familiar with the situation revealed that Kimmel has not been fired and that executives plan to speak with him before he returns to air.
The comedian’s contract is due to expire in May next year, and insiders claim he is already “looking for ways to get out” of the deal. He is also expected to appear on Stephen Colbert’s show in the coming days, per The Mirror.