ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after controversial remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a network statement, ABC said the late-night program would be removed from the schedule for the foreseeable future. The decision follows Kimmel's Monday monologue, in which he suggested the alleged shooter of Kirk—Tyler Robinson, 22—was aligned with conservative politics, despite investigators' statements that the suspect held far-left views and was dating his transgender roommate.
During his Monday episode, Kimmel addressed the tragedy with a sharp political jab, saying he had seen 'new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.' He also referenced the White House's decision to fly flags at half staff and quipped about President Trump's remarks as he toured the aftermath. A clip showed Trump discussing the White House ballroom project, and Kimmel joked about the grieving process, contrasting it with the construction timeline.
Shortly after the tragedy, Kimmel posted on social media: 'Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?' He also questioned White House priorities and suggested the framing of the incident had become a political matter, signaling his concern about how the narrative surrounding the case was developing. The remarks prompted immediate criticism from lawmakers and media watchdogs and intensified scrutiny of broadcast standards in the wake of the shooting.
ABC's decision to pull the show came amid a broader backlash to the monologue and to similar commentary from other media figures, with FCC Chair Brendan Carr telling conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that he was considering an investigation into Kimmel and ABC for the remarks. Carr noted that there are avenues for the agency to act and cautioned that the conduct might warrant further review. After the suspension and the ensuing media reaction, Carr told Fox News' Sean Hannity that he was simply 'suffering the consequences' of his actions.
Kimmel Live!, which has been a staple of ABC's late-night lineup for more than 22 years, has not yet announced a new airdate while the network reviews its options. The suspension follows Kirk's death at Utah Valley University on September 10, which occurred in front of about 3,000 spectators. Investigators have said Kirk's alleged shooter, Robinson, held far-left ideologies and was dating his transgender roommate. Kirk, 31, was a co-founder of Turning Point USA and had become a prominent figure in conservative youth advocacy. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about gun violence, political rhetoric, and how public figures respond to tragedies on social media and on air.
Deadline reported that Kimmel was scheduled to address his remarks on Wednesday night, prior to the network's decision to suspend the show. The move marks a rare interruption in a program that has long been a mainstay of late-night television and a fixture of pop culture commentary. As the entertainment landscape continues to digest the incident, the public conversation around accountability for on-air remarks and their potential real-world consequences remains unsettled.