The late-night television landscape was rocked by the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," from ABC. The controversy stems from Kimmel’s comments following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel, a known critic of President Donald Trump, accused the "MAGA gang" of attempting to exploit Kirk’s death for political gain, suggesting they were prematurely assigning blame before the shooter’s motives were fully understood. He further criticized Trump’s reaction to the tragedy, deeming it inappropriate.
This sparked immediate outrage among conservatives and the Trump administration. The ensuing backlash intensified after it emerged that the suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, held political views opposing Kirk’s, contradicting Kimmel’s initial assertions. Court documents revealed Robinson’s relatives stated he had shifted leftward politically in recent years, and perceived Kirk as hateful. Text messages from Robinson himself after the murder expressed frustration with Kirk’s "hatred."
The controversy didn't end there. Kimmel's subsequent comments further inflamed the situation, leading to calls for action from influential figures like FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who suggested ABC and Disney could face consequences for Kimmel's remarks. Nexstar Media Group, owner of several ABC affiliates, preemptively dropped "Jimmy Kimmel Live," citing the comments as "offensive and insensitive." President Trump celebrated the show's suspension, viewing it as a victory.
The incident has raised broader questions about the role of late-night television in political discourse, the relationship between media companies and political affiliations, and the potential for censorship in the face of partisan tensions. Kimmel's long-standing career and the future of his show remain uncertain, particularly as his contract with ABC nears its end. While Kimmel's show had seen a decline in viewership, the timing of the suspension, coupled with past controversies involving late-night hosts and the Trump administration, fuels speculation about the extent to which political factors influenced the decision. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasingly polarized political climate and its impact on the media landscape.
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Originally published at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/18/what-did-jimmy-kimmel-say-about-charlie-kirk-before-abc-pulled-his-show
