LOS ANGELES — ABC on Wednesday announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be suspended indefinitely after a Monday monologue tied to the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the political reactions that followed. President Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social and then directed his attention to NBC's late-night roster, urging executives to mirror ABC's action by canceling Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. In posts on Truth Social, Trump labeled Fallon and Meyers as 'two total losers' on Fake News NBC and asserted their ratings were 'horrible' and that NBC should act.
Insiders described the situation as a clash between a network decision under political pressure and the leverage of a veteran producer. On Monday, Kimmel had suggested that Kirk's assassin 'was MAGA' in a commentary that investigators later said did not align with the shooter’s actual political profile. The remarks drew scrutiny from regulators and broadcasters, and by Wednesday Disney-owned ABC announced Kimmel Live! would be pre-empted indefinitely, without elaborating further. FCC Chair Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to stop airing the show and signaled a potential inquiry into the comments; Nexstar Media Group, which owns numerous local ABC affiliates, condemned Kimmel's remarks as 'offensive and insensitive.'
The narrative surrounding Fallon and Meyers shifted in NBC’s favor, according to a Daily Mail report that highlighted the influence of Lorne Michaels. The longtime producer, who created Saturday Night Live and continues as executive producer on Fallon and Meyers as well as SNL, is described as NBC’s indispensable “cash cow.” An insider said bosses have a great deal of respect for Michaels, and that as long as he remains involved, they are unlikely to cancel Fallon and Meyers—even in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension. "Bosses have a lot of respect for Lorne and as long as he is around, they aren't going to ruffle any feathers by cancelling Jimmy and Seth's late-night shows," the source said.
Fallon, 50, and Meyers, 51, have long been critics of Trump, and their shows are central to NBC's late-night strategy. Fallon faced MAGA-related backlash after a 2016 interview with Trump, while Meyers has sparred publicly with the president’s allies. NBC renewed Meyers’ contract through 2028, and Fallon has used his platform to respond to political developments as they unfold. On Thursday night, Fallon openly mocked Trump in response to Kimmel's suspension, underscoring how the three-network late-night ecosystem remains a focal point of political and entertainment discourse. The questions surrounding Kimmel’s future—given his contract, which runs through 2026, and the possibility of cross-network opportunities—have amplified negotiations behind the scenes, even as NBC emphasizes stability on Fallon and Meyers.
Industry observers note that culling Kimmel could have broader ramifications for NBC’s streaming ambitions and overall brand health. The Daily Mail’s reporting frames Michaels’ influence as a stabilizing force that keeps NBC from making drastic cancellations that could ripple across the Peacock platform. As this episode unfolds, Kimmel, Colbert, and Fallon are still widely regarded as the trio at the center of American late-night television, across ABC, CBS, and NBC. Kimmel has previously hinted at the possibility of not renewing his contract, while his team negotiates next steps with NBC and potentially with other outlets. NBC did not respond to requests for comment by press time.