ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after he made comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked backlash and led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to refuse to air the program.
Kimmel, who has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, drew controversy with remarks on Monday and Tuesday in which he accused “MAGA land” of trying to exploit Kirk’s assassination for political gain.
The network acted swiftly after Nexstar Communications Group — which operates 23 ABC affiliates — announced it would pull the show. “Kimmel’s comments are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract with ABC expires in May 2026. The network did not specify a reason for the suspension.
President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision on Truth Social, saying, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also renewed attacks on other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, calling them “two total losers.” Trump had previously celebrated CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, predicting Kimmel would be “next.”
Audience members waiting to attend Wednesday’s taping of Kimmel’s show were informed at the last minute that it had been canceled. “They didn’t tell us what had happened… It seemed a bit extreme,” said Tommy Williams, a would-be audience member from Florida.
Kimmel’s monologues this week took aim at Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing them of politicizing Kirk’s death. Critics said he misrepresented facts about the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who authorities say had recently embraced left-leaning views and LGBTQ rights.
The controversy has also drawn in regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, called Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested suspension was justified. A conservative group, the Center for American Rights, filed a complaint accusing ABC of “reckless indifference” and political bias, urging regulators to take action.
However, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the administration’s pressure campaign, warning against “using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”
The dispute comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to police speech surrounding Kirk’s killing, with Vance even urging Americans to report those who mocked the assassination.
Kimmel has long been a vocal critic of Trump, often clashing with conservatives over his satirical commentary. The indefinite suspension leaves uncertainty over the future of one of ABC’s longest-running late-night franchises.