‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ cancelled indefinitely by ABC following Charlie Kirk comments
ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely following remarks he made on air about Donald Trump’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death.
A spokesperson for the network, which is owned by Disney, said in a statement regarding the show’s future on September 17th: “Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely”.
On September 15th’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian said: “The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Kimmel also condemned Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death, saying, “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Additionally, Kimmel claimed on September 16th that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk”.
He also criticised JD Vance for claiming “it is a statistical fact that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left”. Kimmel highlighted the January 6th riots in 2021, stating, “Here’s a question JD Vance might be able to answer: who wanted to hang the guy who was vice president before you? Was that the liberal left? Or the toothless army who stormed the Capitol on January 6?”
ABC’s decision to suspend Kimmel came after Nexstar Media, one of the biggest owners of TV stations in America, said it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live for the foreseeable future. They labelled his comments as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse”.
Then, Sinclair Group, which is the largest ABC affiliate group, confirmed plans to follow in Nexstar Media’s footsteps. Vice Chairman, Jason Smith, said, Kimmel’s remarks “were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country”.
Sinclair also declared they would air a Charlie Kirk special in place of Jimmy Kimmel Live across their networks on September 19th.
The response to Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation
Trump has since responded to news of Kimmel’s cancellation by describing it as “Great News for America” on Truth Social. He added, “The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. 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. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has come to the defence of Kimmel, and attacked the Trump administration, writing on X, Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Newsom then claimed the First Amendment is under threat, posting, “There is no such thing as free speech under Donald Trump’s reign.”
In the Hollywood community, Ben Stiller has said the decision “isn’t right” and Hacks actor Jean Smart wrote on Instagram, “What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda.”
Comedian Mike Birbiglia also called upon the stand-up community to rally around Kimmel, writing on social media, “I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting fof about free speech anymore.”
Kimmel is yet to address the suspension.
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