ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the network indefinitely after a Monday-night monologue in which host Jimmy Kimmel criticized the death of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk and insinuated the alleged killer could be tied to the so-called MAGA crowd. The network announced that Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey, will replace the late-night show in the 11:35 p.m. slot, with the program slated to air in a Wednesday-night lineup as the network navigates the backlash.
Celebrity Family Feud, a long-running game show hosted by Harvey, is now positioned to fill the time slot previously occupied by Kimmel's program. The change comes as ABC and its affiliates respond to concern and criticism over Kimmel’s remarks. Prior to the cancellation, Kimmel had been slated to welcome guests including Rob Lowe and Grace Van Patten, star of The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, with a performance by Margo Price expected on the show. The shift marks a rapid reversal for a program that has aired on ABC for 22 years.
The exchange that precipitated the decision began with a Monday-night monologue in which Kimmel addressed the death of Kirk and suggested that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, might be linked to a broader political movement, describing him as part of the “MAGA gang.” He also criticized how then-President Donald Trump was handling the public mourning. The remarks sparked immediate backlash from conservatives and some media groups, and by Tuesday the network faced renewed scrutiny as the host intensified his critique, taking aim at figures including Vice President JD Vance, who had guest-hosted Kirk’s podcast in the aftermath of the murder.
Nexstar and Sinclair, two large ABC-affiliate groups, each dropped Kimmel in the wake of the monologue. Nexstar president Andrew Alford called the comments offensive and insensitive at a critical moment in national discourse, while Sinclair issued a statement objecting to the remarks and signaling a desire to preserve respectful, constructive dialogue in communities. Sinclair added that it would air a special remembrance for Kirk on Friday, offering the program to ABC affiliates nationwide as part of the response to the controversy.
The fallout extended into the political arena. Former President Donald Trump publicly celebrated the network’s decision, posting that the ratings-challenged show was canceled and praising ABC for taking action. The post also singled out Kimmel and compared late-night figures unfavorably to NBC’s Seth Meyers, reflecting the polarized, highly publicized environment surrounding late-night television.
The crisis moved toward regulatory considerations when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told Fox News that he was “suffering the consequences” of Kimmel’s actions and noted that the FCC could investigate, given the conduct described. Carr indicated in an interview with a conservative podcast host that there were avenues for agency action, signaling that the affair could extend beyond entertainment into policy and governance debates.
The timeline surrounding the events illustrates a rapid escalation from a televised monologue to a broader corporate and political backlash. Kimmel’s initial remarks prompted swift responses from affiliate stations and from various political actors, prompting ABC to replace the program and to coordinate a memorial approach across its affiliate network. While Celebrity Family Feud is stepping in to fill the time slot, the broader implications for Kimmel and for network standards in a highly charged political climate remain to be seen as discussions among advertisers, affiliates, and regulators continue. The situation highlights how late-night hosts’ comments in response to real-world events can trigger swift organizational changes, particularly when they touch sensitive political moments and extend into public discourse across a broad media ecosystem.