Jimmy Kimmel show suspended after Charlie Kirk remarks 

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) has suspended its late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, indefinitely following controversial remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel concerning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel, in his Monday and Tuesday monologues, commented on the political reactions to Kirk’s death, stating that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” The comments drew backlash from some ABC affiliates and top regulatory officials.

Nexstar Media Group, which operates 23 ABC-affiliated stations, announced it would stop airing the show from Wednesday. Nexstar’s broadcasting division president, Andrew Alford, described Kimmel’s comments as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

The move led ABC to halt the show’s production. Audience members who arrived at the Hollywood studio for Wednesday’s taping were turned away, and protests were seen outside the venue.

There has been no official response from Kimmel, whose contract with ABC expires in May 2026.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, Brendan Carr, criticised the remarks, saying the network could face consequences for allegedly spreading misinformation. He said the comic appeared to suggest, wrongly, that the suspect in Kirk’s murder was a Trump supporter.

“This is a very serious issue for Disney,” Carr said during a podcast interview. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Authorities said the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, grew up in a conservative home in southern Utah but had recently embraced left-wing ideology and supported LGBTQ rights. He reportedly told investigators he targeted Kirk because he was tired of his “hatred.” Robinson’s voter status is inactive.

US President Donald Trump reacted to the suspension on his social media platform, congratulating ABC for taking action.

Kimmel has hosted the programme since 2003. ABC has not stated when or whether the show will return.