ABC has suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely following controversial remarks he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a decision that has fueled a fierce debate over censorship, free speech, and political pressure.
The move came after Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission and a Trump appointee, threatened action against ABC and its parent company Disney. Carr accused Kimmel of misleading the public during Monday’s broadcast, when the comedian said the “Maga gang” was exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain.
“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel said in his monologue, mocking President Trump’s response to Kirk’s death. Carr later called the remarks “the sickest conduct possible” and demanded an apology.
Nexstar Media, one of the largest owners of television stations in the country, announced it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” describing the comments as “offensive and insensitive.” Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna. Sinclair, another major broadcaster, said it would replace Kimmel’s Friday time slot with a remembrance program for Kirk.
Speaking during his state visit to the U.K., Trump praised the suspension as “great news for America,” adding that Kimmel had “bad ratings” and was “not a talented person.”
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty.
Kimmel, who has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003 and emceed the Oscars four times, has not publicly responded to the suspension. Fans outside the Hollywood studio expressed disappointment, with one supporter calling it “ridiculous” and a violation of free speech.
Several Hollywood figures came to Kimmel’s defense. Actor Ben Stiller called the suspension “not right,” while Hacks star Jean Smart said she was “horrified” and described Kimmel’s comments as free speech. The Writers Guild of America condemned the suspension as a violation of constitutional rights.
Not everyone agreed. Media personality Dave Portnoy argued it was not cancel culture, but “consequences for your actions.”
House Democratic leaders criticized Carr, accusing him of abusing his position and demanding his resignation. Fellow FCC commissioner Anna Gomez also rebuked the suspension, saying political violence “must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship.”
A source told CNBC that Kimmel had not been formally fired and that network executives planned to meet with him before deciding his future. The suspension, however, adds to ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major media companies, following earlier disputes with CBS, ABC, the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
