Walt Disney-owned ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely after host Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk triggered a sharp warning from the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested local broadcasters could face fines or even license reviews if they continued airing the show, calling Kimmel’s comments “distorted” and “not serving the needs of local communities.”
The fallout began after Kimmel criticized right-wing efforts to frame the suspect in Kirk’s killing during his Monday night monologue, saying, “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.” Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at a Utah university last week, and a 22-year-old has since been charged with his murder. The episode has sparked intense political divisions, with Republican leaders warning against any perceived disrespect toward Kirk, while Democrats blasted Kimmel’s suspension as an attack on free speech.
The controversy quickly escalated as Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they would no longer air the show on their ABC affiliates, with Sinclair vowing to broadcast a tribute to Kirk instead. President Donald Trump praised the decision on social media, while Disney faced mounting pressure from regulators and affiliate groups. ABC confirmed Wednesday that the late-night program would be “preempted indefinitely.” Kimmel has yet to issue a public response.
