ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future” following backlash over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. Donald Trump praised the move, calling Kimmel a “loser.”
Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Pulled Off Air
The long-running late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended indefinitely. On Wednesday, Nexstar Media Group and ABC affiliates confirmed that the program will be preempted “for the foreseeable future” after Kimmel’s controversial remarks regarding the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk.
According to Nexstar’s statement:
“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
The move marks a dramatic turn for Kimmel, who has been on air since 2003.
What Sparked the Controversy?
On Monday night’s show, Kimmel addressed the shooting of Charlie Kirk, criticizing both the political response and President Donald Trump’s public reaction.
Kimmel said:
“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.”
He went further, mocking Trump’s grief:
“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.”
The comments triggered widespread backlash, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warning ABC affiliates that they could face fines or license revocations if they continued airing Kimmel’s show.
Donald Trump Responds
Currently on a state visit to the UK, Donald Trump took to Truth Social late Wednesday to celebrate the decision.
He wrote:
“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.”
Trump also took a swipe at other late-night hosts, calling Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers “losers” with “horrible ratings.”
Was Kimmel Planning to Respond?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kimmel had planned to address the backlash on Wednesday’s episode. Sources say he intended to clarify his remarks but had no plans to issue a formal apology. The cancellation came before he could deliver that response.
End of an Era?
Kimmel has been a late-night fixture for over two decades, often mixing comedy with sharp political commentary. While ABC and Nexstar have not confirmed whether this decision is permanent, the suspension raises questions about the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the broader landscape of politically charged late-night television.