ABC network is pulling Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running late night series off the air in response to comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
“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.
Kirk, who was a close ally of United States President Donald Trump, was shot dead on September 10 during a speaking event on a Utah university campus.
Authorities said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson used a rifle to shoot Kirk with a bullet to the neck.
Following a manhunt, Robinson was arrested and has been formally charged with his murder. The Utah State prosecutor annouced on Tuesday that the alleged shooter
Kimmel monologue spoke of political point scoring
On Monday, Kimmel spoke about the shooting in his popular late-night show’s monologue.
“We had 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 with everything they can to score political points from it,” said Kimmel.
He went on to criticize Trump’s mourning of Kirk,pointing to a video of Trump’s comments on the White House lawn, saying: “This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
“MAGA” refers to the president’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Before the annoucement, the Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr called for local broadcasters to stop airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and suggested the commission could open an investigation.
He said broadcasters could potentially be fined or lose their licenses if there was a pattern of distorted comment.
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