Jimmy Kimmel Live! pulled off air following Kirk comments

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
Today 09:35

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s sharp criticism of Republicans for "capitalizing" on Charlie Kirk's killing sparked political backlash, regulatory threats, and broadcaster boycotts.

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Jimmy Kimmel with Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services)

ABC has confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be taken off air indefinitely following remarks the late-night host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a university event in Utah.

The network's decision followed pressure from Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, who warned broadcasters they risked "fines or licensed revocation from the FCC" if they continued to air Kimmel's show.

Speaking on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson's podcast, Carr insisted that "local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest," later praising Nexstar Media for "doing the right thing" when it preempted Kimmel across its stations.

Nexstar's broadcasting president, Andrew Alford, called Kimmel's remarks "offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse," while Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest operator of ABC affiliates, announced plans to air a tribute to Kirk in Kimmel's time slot. "Continuing to give Mr Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time," Alford said, adding that the move was designed to allow "cooler heads [to] prevail."

US President Donald Trump praised the suspension as "great news for America," congratulating ABC for its "courage." On social media he wrote, "That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC," a reference to Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. The comments came just weeks after the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show.

The controversy

Kimmel drew fire for comments made in his Monday and Tuesday monologues about political reactions to Kirk's death. "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it," he said Monday. The following night, he added: "Many in Maga-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk."

His remarks were directed at Republican leaders, particularly Vice President JD Vance, who has sought to frame the killing as a symptom of left-wing extremism. While hosting an episode of Kirk's podcast from the White House, Vance declared, "While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical fact that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left."

Kimmel rejected that claim, telling viewers, "And by 'statistical fact', he means 'complete bull****'," citing studies showing that far-right groups are the greatest source of extremist violence in the United States, a study that was later removed from the Justice Department's website. "Here's a question JD Vance might be able to answer: who wanted to hang the guy who was vice president before you? Was that the liberal left? Or the toothless army who stormed the Capitol on January 6?"

The killing and political fallout

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Prosecutors have signaled they may pursue the death penalty.

Authorities say Robinson had expressed left-leaning ideological views and opposition to Kirk's politics in the weeks leading up to the shooting. This has fueled partisan battles over how the killing should be interpreted, with some Republicans pointing to it as evidence of "left-wing political radicalization." Critics, including Kimmel, argue that conservatives are exploiting the tragedy to shift the narrative for political gain.

Vice President Vance has been one of the most vocal figures in this debate. He earlier said, "My friend is dead because of left-wing political radicalization," warning that the country must "look in the mirror and be honest about it." His response has sharpened concerns from Democrats and media critics that Kirk's death is being turned into a political weapon rather than treated as an isolated criminal act.

Kimmel has not commented publicly since ABC announced his show's suspension.