Jimmy Kimmel & Charlie Kirk Controversy: Did ABC Cancel His Show?
One of America’s most familiar late-night hosts, Jimmy Kimmel, has become the centre of a political storm. ABC announced on Sept. 18 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be suspended indefinitely after the comedian’s controversial remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The controversy began during Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue, where he criticised supporters of former President Donald Trump after the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with Kirk’s murder. Kimmel suggested that the so-called “MAGA gang” was trying to spin the narrative for political advantage.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise 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 told his studio audience.
The remarks quickly sparked backlash. Critics accused Kimmel of being insensitive at a time of national tension, while his supporters argued that the monologue was in line with his long-standing brand of political satire.
Also, read| Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ Star Owen Cooper Makes History As Youngest Actor To Win Emmy 2025
By midweek, ABC confirmed that Kimmel’s show would be pulled from its schedule “for the time being.” The network emphasised that the program was not officially cancelled but would be pre-empted while the fallout continued.
Two of the nation’s biggest television station groups, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, soon said they would stop carrying the program on their local ABC affiliates. Sinclair went further, announcing that it would air a tribute special to Charlie Kirk in Kimmel’s usual late-night slot.
The suspension came just hours after Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), suggested that broadcasters could face fines or even license revocation if they continued to air Kimmel’s program. Carr said shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! were “enforcing a narrow political ideology” rather than serving the broader public interest.
His remarks raised alarms among unions and free-speech advocates, who warned that regulatory threats over satire could set a dangerous precedent for American television.
Former President Donald Trump, long a critic of Kimmel, celebrated the news on his Truth Social platform. Calling the show “ratings-challenged,” Trump praised ABC’s decision as “great news for America” and urged NBC to also cancel The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Also, read| The Conjuring: Last Rites; Fans Praise Emotional Farewell, While Some Criticise Predictable Scares
The episode follows a wider shake-up in late-night programming, coming just weeks after Stephen Colbert’s show ended, shrinking the space for outspoken liberal-leaning comedians on network television.
Who is Jimmy Kimmel?
James Christian Kimmel, 57, is one of the most enduring figures in American late-night TV. Since 2003, he has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, blending comedy skits, celebrity interviews, and political monologues. Over the years, he has also become a trusted award-show host, fronting the Academy Awards four times and the Emmy Awards three times.
Before his late-night success, Kimmel co-hosted Comedy Central’s The Man Show and Win Ben Stein’s Money — the latter earning him an Emmy. He also produced cult comedy projects like Crank Yankers and The Andy Milonakis Show. In 2018, he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
The decision to suspend Kimmel has drawn criticism from within the entertainment industry. The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA both issued statements condemning ABC’s move as an attack on free expression, warning that silencing late-night satire threatens artistic freedom.
Actors, including Ben Stiller and comedians like Wanda Sykes, voiced their support for Kimmel, arguing that satire has long been a cornerstone of American late-night programming.
From hashtags to heartfelt posts, online voices defended Kimmel’s right to satire, framing ABC’s decision as a blow to free speech in entertainment.
Not a big fan of Jimmy Kimmel, but if you think his show should be canceled for this, you’re a hack and a total fraud who should never pretend to care about free speech pic.twitter.com/FSiktbva6y
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 17, 2025
RETWEET if you stand with Jimmy Kimmel! pic.twitter.com/VQSZOpdQw7
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) September 17, 2025
As of now, Jimmy Kimmel has not been fired. Jimmy Kimmel Live! has also not been cancelled. Instead, the show is officially “pre-empted indefinitely,” which means ABC is pausing its broadcast without committing to a return date.
