ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Indefinitely After Comments on Charlie Kirk Shooting Spark Political Firestorm
ABC has suspended late-night host **Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely** following remarks he made about the recent killing of right-wing activist **Charlie Kirk**, igniting a fierce national debate over free speech, political influence, and media censorship.
Suspension and Backlash
The Disney-owned network confirmed that *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* will be “pre-empted indefinitely,” hours after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair **Brendan Carr**, a Trump appointee, threatened regulatory action if Disney and ABC did not take steps against Kimmel.
During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel accused the “MAGA gang” of attempting to score political points from Kirk’s death. He also mocked former President **Donald Trump’s reaction**, likening it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
While Kimmel has remained silent since the suspension, Trump celebrated the move on social media, calling it “great news for America” and congratulating ABC for what he described as “the courage to do what had to be done.”
Hollywood Defends Kimmel
The decision drew swift condemnation from Hollywood. Actors **Ben Stiller, Jean Smart, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Legend, Josh Gad,** and **Alison Brie** all expressed outrage, labeling the suspension an attack on free expression.
“Jimmy said what he believed. That is free speech, not hate speech,” Smart wrote. Curtis posted one of Kimmel’s own earlier quotes: *“I don’t believe anybody should be cancelled, I really don’t.”*
Outside the show’s Hollywood studio, disappointed fans protested with signs, while audience members who had queued for tickets described the move as “bizarre” and “ridiculous.”
Political and Media Fallout
Democratic lawmakers blasted Carr’s actions as an “abuse of power,” accusing him of bullying ABC into silencing one of the country’s most prominent comedians. The **Writers Guild of America (WGA)** and **SAG-AFTRA** unions also denounced the decision as a dangerous violation of First Amendment rights.
Meanwhile, broadcasters have distanced themselves from Kimmel. **Nexstar Media Group** announced it would stop airing his show “for the foreseeable future,” while **Sinclair Broadcasting** plans to replace the program with a special remembrance for Kirk.
Carr defended his stance, arguing that broadcasters have obligations to serve the “public interest” and hinting that Kimmel could return if he issued an apology.
The Bigger Picture
Kimmel’s suspension adds to the uncertainty surrounding late-night television as audiences increasingly migrate to streaming. CBS recently announced that *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* will end next year, fueling speculation about the decline of the traditional late-night format.
Still, ABC sources say Kimmel has not been fired, and discussions are ongoing about his eventual return. For now, however, one of America’s most recognizable late-night voices has been silenced—sparking a national conversation about censorship, politics, and the future of comedy in an era of deep division.
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