Disney’s ABC said it is pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off air “indefinitely,” a spokesperson said, following the late-night host’s comments Monday about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot last week while hosting an event at Utah Valley University.
During his monologue on Monday night, Kimmel raised the possibility that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing, might have been a pro-Trump Republican.
“The MAGA Gang (is) 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.
On Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened to “take action” against Disney and ABC over the comments.
ABC’s decision comes two months after CBS announced it was permanently ending “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” calling that move “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” Many of Colbert’s fans suggested he was being punished for his long history of criticizing President Donald Trump.
Carr made his comments during an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, describing Kimmel’s remarks as “the sickest conduct possible,” and saying the FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses as a punishment.
FCC commissioner Anna Gomez, a Biden appointee and the lone Democrat on the panel, sharply criticized Carr on X, saying, “This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”
Following Carr’s comments, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. announced that the company’s ABC affiliates will pre-empt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for the foreseeable future beginning with Wednesday night’s show.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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