ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely after a Monday monologue about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, days after Kirk was assassinated last week at Utah Valley University. A network spokesperson said the show would not air for the foreseeable future while ABC reviews the remarks. The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, has been taken into custody and appeared in court on Tuesday on charges including aggravated murder. Investigators said Robinson holds far-left ideologies and was in a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate.
The network's affiliate group Nexstar said it strongly objects to Kimmel's comments and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.
Hollywood stars quickly weighed in. Singer Halsey reposted the news to her Instagram Stories. Actor John Legend shared a post by David Frum that framed the moment within a broader debate over political rhetoric and media responsibility. Actor Ben Stiller reposted the news on X with the simple, pointed remark that what happened was not right. Political commentator and MSNBC host Chris Hayes described the move as a troubling example of political pressure on media and free speech. California governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X that buying and controlling media platforms and firing commentators signals a coordinated and dangerous censorship effort. Community actress Alison Brie joined discussions on Instagram, calling the development unreal and scary. Don Lemon called the situation scary stuff on Threads and argued that those who complain about canceling people are themselves participating in it.
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Presidential attention followed, with former President Donald Trump posting on Truth Social that ABC's decision was news for America because Kimmel's ratings are reportedly tanking. Trump wrote that ABC deserved credit for canceling the show and framed the move as a win for his side, while also disparaging Kimmel and rival late-night hosts on NBC.
The suspension spotlights ongoing tensions surrounding free speech, late-night entertainment, and the boundaries of political commentary on broadcast television. ABC has not announced a timeline for resuming Kimmel's program, and Nexstar indicated it will continue to replace the show across its markets until further notice. The broader industry is watching how networks balance content oversight with pressures from public figures and online discourse, amid a year of heightened political polarization and rapid social-media responses.