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Jimmy Kimmel has been taken off the air indefinitely following comments he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, ABC confirmed on Wednesday.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be pre-empted indefinitely," a spokesperson for the Disney-owned network said in a statement. The announcement came shortly after Kimmel was seen leaving the Hollywood Boulevard studio without comment, wearing a cap and flannel shirt.
During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel criticized political reactions to Kirk's death, accusing the "MAGA gang" of using the tragedy for political gain. "The MAGA crowd is desperately trying to spin this killing to score points, instead of facing the ugly truth," Kimmel said. He also mocked former President Donald Trump's response to the shooting, comparing it to "how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish."
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder but have not released a motive. Court documents state Robinson's mother described a recent shift in his political views, saying he had become "more progressive, supportive of gay and trans rights."
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) weighed in after Kimmel's remarks sparked backlash. FCC Chair Brendan Carr called the comments "deeply disturbing" and urged Disney to take action. He suggested an apology would be "the bare minimum," while Democratic FCC member Anna Gomez pushed back, warning against censorship in response to political violence.
ABC's move was echoed by Nexstar Media, which owns 32 ABC affiliates nationwide. Nexstar announced it would stop airing Kimmel's show, calling his remarks "offensive and insensitive." Sinclair Broadcast Group followed suit, replacing Friday's episode with a tribute to Kirk. Former President Trump celebrated Kimmel's suspension, posting on social media, "The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for doing the right thing."
The Writers Guild of America condemned the decision, calling it a violation of free speech. "Censoring artistic voices sets a dangerous precedent," the union said. While Kimmel has not been fired, sources told CNBC that ABC executives plan to meet with him before any return to air.
Fans waiting outside the studio for Wednesday's taping expressed frustration. "This feels like a violation of free speech," said Janna Blackwell, a tourist from Virginia. "He gave his opinion, and now he's silenced. It's absurd."
