In the wake of intense backlash over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been yanked off the air indefinitely – and it won’t return unless the late-night host meets three strict demands.
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show was abruptly pulled off the air indefinitely following a firestorm over remarks he made regarding the shocking and highly publicized death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension, confirmed Sept. 17, by Sinclair Broadcast Group – the largest ABC affiliate network in the U.S. – came as mounting pressure from political groups and public backlash grew impossible to ignore.
Kirk, a high-profile Donald Trump ally and founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was tragically shot dead on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The event, which drew over 3,000 attendees, turned into a national tragedy when a 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, shot a single bullet into his neck. Robinson has since been charged with aggravated murder and several related crimes.
‘Fourth stage of grief’
Days after Kirk’s death, Kimmel addressed the incident on his Sept.15 broadcast. Rather than offering condolences, the comedian took direct aim at Trump’s bizarre public reaction to Kirk’s death.
During the segment, Kimmel played a clip of Trump being asked how he was “holding up” following the assassination of his friend. Trump responded awkwardly with, “I think very good,” then abruptly shifted focus – ignoring the gravity of the question – and began discussing new construction at the White House.
“And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get for about 150 years. And it’s gonna be a beauty. It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure,” Trump told the reporter.
Kimmel’s response was biting: “He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, okay?”
‘Something wrong with him’
If that wasn’t enough, Kimmel escalated the takedown, showing another clip of Trump once again focusing on the White House ballroom project, dismissing the assassination when asked.
“There’s something wrong with him, there really is. Who thinks like that? We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to paint this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything but one of their own, while doing everything they can to turn it into political points,” Kimmel said in his monologue. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
Trump: ‘Total loser’
Those comments set off a firestorm across conservative media outlets and pro-Trump websites and the backlash escalated rapidly.
By September 17, with the next episode scheduled to tape in Hollywood, ABC – under pressure from its affiliate network – pulled the plug without warning.
“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,” the POTUS wrote the same day on Truth Social. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”
Breach of ‘professionalism and accountability’
While free speech advocates have condemned the suspension, calling it a dangerous precedent for silencing political commentary, Sinclair made it clear that that the move was based on what it views as a breach of “professionalism and accountability” by both Kimmel and the network that hosts him.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said in an official statement shared on X.
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”
Three conditions
According to Sinclair, “suspension is not enough.” The company outlined three specific conditions that the comedian must meet before Jimmy Kimmel Live! can return to the air.
First, the media group stated it would not consider reinstating the program until “formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism.” In short, not only must Kimmel act – ABC must also reassure Sinclair that such incidents won’t happen again.
Next, “a direct apology to the Kirk family” is non-negotiable. Sinclair emphasized the need for a personal and public acknowledgment of the pain caused by Kimmel’s remarks.
Lastly, Kimmel “must make a meaningful personal donation” to both the Kirk family and Turning Point USA. This stipulation appears to signal Sinclair’s desire to both recognize the humanitarian fallout and restore goodwill with the organization whose founder was targeted.
“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform,” the post concludes.
Kimmel ‘pissed’
As of Sept. 18, Kimmel has not made any public statements regarding the suspension or Sinclair’s demands.
However, according to a producer, the late-night talk host is “pissed” and “absolutely f–king livid,” according to the Daily Mail, per the New York Post.
Whether Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns now hangs in a delicate balance. Until then, the future of one of late-night TV’s most enduring voices remains uncertain.
What do you think of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear from others!
READ MORE
- Michael Keaton sparks outrage over controversial Charlie Kirk comment
- All the celebs who have slammed decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel off air
