ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! After Controversial Charlie Kirk Comments Spark Affiliate Backlash
ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after widespread backlash to Jimmy Kimmel’s viral remarks about Charlie Kirk. The network announced Wednesday that the late-night program will be preempted, a decision that follows mounting pressure from affiliates and federal regulators.
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! after backlash to Charlie Kirk comments, with Nexstar, Sinclair, and FCC pressure fueling affiliate revolt.
John Argueta/Disney
Nexstar, one of the largest owners of local television stations in the United States, said it would not air the series for the foreseeable future. The company operates 28 ABC affiliates nationwide and cited community standards as the reason for its decision. Other station groups also expressed concern, raising the possibility of an affiliate revolt against the show.
The controversy stems from Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, during which he remarked on the political response to the shooting of Charlie Kirk. His comments suggested that efforts to distance the suspect from right-wing politics were politically motivated. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr reacted strongly, warning that ABC affiliates could face regulatory consequences if they continued broadcasting the show without addressing what he described as “a pattern of news distortion.”
According to sources, Kimmel had planned to clarify his remarks on Wednesday’s broadcast, insisting they had been taken out of context. He was reportedly not preparing an apology, maintaining that his comments did not warrant one.
Nexstar issued a formal statement late Wednesday explaining its decision to suspend the program. Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, called Kimmel’s comments “offensive and insensitive” and said airing the show was not in the public interest at this time. He emphasized the need for more respectful dialogue as the nation navigates heightened political tensions.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns the most ABC affiliates, also announced it would not air Kimmel’s show. The company confirmed it would instead broadcast a tribute to Charlie Kirk during Kimmel’s time slot on Friday. Sinclair urged Kimmel to apologize to the Kirk family and stated it would continue withholding the show until ABC addressed concerns over professionalism and accountability.
The suspension comes as Nexstar awaits FCC approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, a deal that would make it the country’s largest owner of local television stations. The FCC’s 40 percent ownership cap would need to be lifted for the merger to proceed, adding further stakes to Nexstar’s decision.
Carr, speaking on a podcast and later on Fox News’ Hannity, said affiliates were right to push back against ABC. He criticized late-night television for shifting from bipartisan satire to partisan commentary and praised broadcasters for prioritizing community interests over national programming.
