On Sept. 17, Disney’s ABC confirmed to PEOPLE that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pulled “indefinitely.”
The network’s move followed Kimmel’s comments about the shocking death of Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Kirk was just 31.
Kimmel opened his Sept. 15 monologue by addressing the killing and the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who now faces aggravated murder charges.
“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,” Kimmel said. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
The comedian then showed a clip of Donald Trump being asked about Kirk’s death. A reporter expressed condolences and asked how Trump was coping. His answer went in a different direction.
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“I think very good, and by the way, right there where you see all the trucks, they just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House,” Trump replied. He added that the ballroom would “be a beauty.”
Kimmel’s reaction was quick. “Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”
Even as he mocked, Kimmel also shared compassion.
On social media, he wrote, “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Nexstar Media Group, the largest local broadcaster in the United States, announced its ABC affiliates would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future.”
In its statement, Nexstar explained why. “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
He added, “Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
That wasn’t the only blow. Sinclair Broadcast Group also suspended the show. The company said in a press release it “objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk” and decided, after talks with ABC, to “indefinitely preempt” the program starting that night.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair vice chairman Jason Smith. “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”
He added, “We appreciate FCC Chairman [Brendan] Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Sinclair then laid out its demands for Kimmel.
First, there must be “formal discussions” with ABC about professionalism and accountability.
Second, Kimmel must “issue a direct apology to the Kirk family.”
Finally, he must make a “meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA,” the nonprofit Kirk founded to push conservative politics on high school and college campuses.
The press release ended by saying that no matter what ABC decides, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will not return until Sinclair is “confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
The timing is striking. Nexstar is in the middle of a $6.2 billion deal to acquire rival Tegna, which would expand its reach to 80% of U.S. households. The merger still needs approval from the Trump-controlled FCC, which makes these moves even more political.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
