Martina Navratilova on Wednesday posted a string of messages on X in response to ABC's decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live after he criticized how outlets were covering the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Nexstar Media Group, which owns ABC affiliates, said it would preempt Kimmel's show on Wednesday night for the foreseeable future, replacing it with other programming. Disney later confirmed the suspension, saying the program would be pre-empted indefinitely.
Navratilova, a longtime liberal voice and former professional tennis star, publicly objected to the move on social media and re-shared posts about the controversy. On Monday, Kimmel drew fire for claiming that conservatives were trying to pin a left-wing ideology on a 22-year-old suspect named Tyler Robinson in connection with the incident involving Kirk. Prosecutors reaffirmed those links in Tuesday's indictment, and FBI officials and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said the suspect held leftist beliefs and had become radicalized in recent years. Investigators also disclosed that the suspect had a romantic relationship with a transgender partner who was biologically male and transitioning to female.
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, spoke on The Benny Show Wednesday and called Kimmel's remarks "some of the sickest conduct" while suggesting there were potential avenues the FCC could pursue against Disney. The comedian's late-night program had been pulled after he criticized the handling of the Charlie Kirk case and suggested the remarks were being used to frame the event politically. Nexstar announced the preemption on Wednesday night, with Disney confirming the move later that evening.
Disney's confirmation to Fox News Digital stated, "Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely." Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report. The decision comes amid a broader debate about how networks manage political commentary in late-night formats during high-profile criminal cases.
The incident centers on the shooting of Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University in September 2025. The fallout has drawn commentary from public figures across the political spectrum about media responsibility, editorial balance, and the speed with which networks respond to inflammatory remarks in times of national attention. Navratilova's response adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about entertainment, politics, and accountability in news coverage.
As the story continues to unfold, observers are watching how networks, regulators, and public figures navigate the line between permissible rhetoric and potentially harmful commentary, and how such choices influence audiences during a volatile political moment. The situation remains fluid, with broadcasters and lawmakers signaling that more actions—regulatory or otherwise—could follow depending on developments in the Kirk case and the broader public reaction.