ABOLISHING THE FIRST AMENDMENT
ABC says late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be suspended immediately after Kimmel accused Republicans of doing "everything they can to score political points" from Kirk’s killing. ABC’s announcement came just minutes after one of the biggest owners of TV stations in the US, Nexstar Media, said it would replace Kimmel's show with other programming.
Issued on: 18/09/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
US talk show host/comedian Jimmy Kimmel at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles, California, in February 2023. © Patrick T. Fallon, AFP
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night television show has been taken off air "indefinitely" after the host was criticised for comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, ABC said.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely," an ABC spokesperson told AFP, using a television industry term for when a show is replaced or removed from the schedule.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week during a speaking event on a Utah university campus.
Authorities said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson used a rifle to shoot Kirk with a single bullet to the neck from a rooftop. He was arrested and has been formally charged with his murder.
On Monday, Kimmel spoke about the shooting in his popular late-night show's monologue.
"We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it," said Kimmel.
"MAGA" refers to the president's "Make America Great Again" movement.
The White House this week said it would be pursuing an alleged left-wing "domestic terror movement" in the wake of Kirk's killing, prompting alarm that such a campaign could be used to silence political dissent.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night television show has been taken off air "indefinitely" after the host was criticised for comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, ABC said.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely," an ABC spokesperson told AFP, using a television industry term for when a show is replaced or removed from the schedule.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week during a speaking event on a Utah university campus.
Authorities said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson used a rifle to shoot Kirk with a single bullet to the neck from a rooftop. He was arrested and has been formally charged with his murder.
On Monday, Kimmel spoke about the shooting in his popular late-night show's monologue.
"We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it," said Kimmel.
"MAGA" refers to the president's "Make America Great Again" movement.
The White House this week said it would be pursuing an alleged left-wing "domestic terror movement" in the wake of Kirk's killing, prompting alarm that such a campaign could be used to silence political dissent.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
'Jimmy Kimmel Live' pulled off air over Charlie Kirk comment
ABC network is taking "Jimmy Kimmel Live" off the air indefinitely in response to comments the late-night host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC network announced Thursday it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel's long-running late-night series off the air in response to comments he made about Charlie Kirk's killing.
"Mr. Kimmel's comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located," said Nexstar Media Group, an owner of ABC TV affiliates.
The announcement comes after CBS network announced in July that it was canceling its most watched show in late night, "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."
What has happened since Kirk's killing?
Kirk, a political activist with close ties to US President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University last week.
The man accused of killing Kirk has since been arrested and prosecutors have announced seven state charges, including aggravated murder, against him. They have also said they're going to seek the death penalty against the suspected killer.
Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA and is widely credited with helping Trump take back the White House in 2024 by galvanizing conservative youth to vote for him.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
On Monday, Jimmy Kimmel spoke about the shooting in his popular late-night show, saying:
"We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA [Make America Great Again] gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it."
He went on to criticize Trump's mourning of Kirk, pointing to a video of Trump's comments on the White House lawn, saying: "This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish."
Before Thursday's announcement, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr called for local broadcasters to stop airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and suggested the commission could open an investigation.
He said broadcasters could potentially be fined or lose their licenses if there was a pattern of distorted comment.
Trump says canceling Kimmel's show is 'great news'
US President Donald Trump, who has sparred with Kimmel in the past, called the decision "great news for America."
"Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED," Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. "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."
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
Kalika Mehta Sports reporter
DW with AP, Reuters
18/09/2025
ABC network is taking "Jimmy Kimmel Live" off the air indefinitely in response to comments the late-night host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC network announced Thursday it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel's long-running late-night series off the air in response to comments he made about Charlie Kirk's killing.
"Mr. Kimmel's comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located," said Nexstar Media Group, an owner of ABC TV affiliates.
The announcement comes after CBS network announced in July that it was canceling its most watched show in late night, "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."
What has happened since Kirk's killing?
Kirk, a political activist with close ties to US President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University last week.
The man accused of killing Kirk has since been arrested and prosecutors have announced seven state charges, including aggravated murder, against him. They have also said they're going to seek the death penalty against the suspected killer.
Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA and is widely credited with helping Trump take back the White House in 2024 by galvanizing conservative youth to vote for him.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
On Monday, Jimmy Kimmel spoke about the shooting in his popular late-night show, saying:
"We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA [Make America Great Again] gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it."
He went on to criticize Trump's mourning of Kirk, pointing to a video of Trump's comments on the White House lawn, saying: "This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish."
Before Thursday's announcement, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr called for local broadcasters to stop airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and suggested the commission could open an investigation.
He said broadcasters could potentially be fined or lose their licenses if there was a pattern of distorted comment.
Trump says canceling Kimmel's show is 'great news'
US President Donald Trump, who has sparred with Kimmel in the past, called the decision "great news for America."
"Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED," Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. "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."
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
Kalika Mehta Sports reporter
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