ABC has announced that it will be suspending late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, indefinitely after he made some extremely controversial and insensitive comments about the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer, Charlie Kirk. During a Monday night monologue, Kimmel criticised the ‘MAGA gang’ for allegedly politicising Charlie’s death. This has led to widespread backlash, with calls for both an apology and potential action against the comedian. If you’re unaware of what exactly happened, let us provide a brief overview of the situation.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
Jimmy Kimmel’s night show on September 15, 2025, was centred around the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk. All was going well, but during his monologue, he accused the ‘MAGA gang’ of exploiting the tragic death for political gains. Jimmy further mocked the national response to the incident, particularly criticising the act of lowering flags to half-mast in Charlie’s honour.
He called the response immature and compared it to that of a child who had just lost their pet. His remarks were particularly pointed, given his history of mocking figures like President Donald Trump. He stated:
“This is not how an adult grieves.”
Jimmy Kimmel slammed for his insensitive comment
Jimmy Kimmel’s comment did not go unnoticed. The world soon split in two, with some praising him and others calling him out for his comment. Meanwhile, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr expressed his disapproval of Jimmy’s conduct, calling it “the sickest conduct possible.”
Brendan urged ABC’s parent company, Disney, to take stronger action against the host, suggesting that an apology would be a ‘minimal’ response. The backlash ultimately led Nexstar Media, a major TV station owner, to follow ABC’s lead and pull Jimmy Kimmel’s show, citing concerns over his offensive comments during a sensitive time in national discourse.
Donald Trump reacts to ABC pulling the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live
As soon as the news of Jimmy Kimmel Live being suspended indefinitely made headlines, President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his joy over it. He took the opportunity to also talk about other TV show hosts and stated:
“Great News for America: The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.”
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension highlights a broader shift in the broadcasting industry
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension highlights a significant shift in the broadcasting industry, with networks such as Nexstar pulling the plug on a show due to growing concerns about political content in late-night television. This also reflects on the larger trend of declining traditional viewership and increased scrutiny of hosts’ political commentary. Nexstar has revealed that their decision is focused on ‘respectful and constructive dialogues’, signalling a need for hosts to be more cautious about what they say.
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension further coincides with a broader decline in late-night TV as viewers shift towards streaming platforms. CBS’s decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026 is another example of the challenges faced by long-running programs. However, as ABC’s decision puts Jimmy on the bench, only time will tell if the actions were satisfactory enough.
What are your thoughts on Jimmy Kimmel’s comment on Charlie Kirk and ABC’s decision to suspend him? Let us know.
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