Sinclair Broadcast Group announced on Wednesday that it has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC-affiliated stations, opting to replace the late-night program with a Charlie Kirk tribute in response to remarks about Kirk's assassination that the company called insensitive.
The Kirk remembrance is scheduled to fill Kimmel's Friday time slot and run across Sinclair stations over the weekend, though the company did not specify which outlets would carry the tribute. Sinclair oversees as many as 185 TV stations in 85 markets nationwide, affiliated with networks including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. The broadcaster said the suspension would remain in place until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network's commitment to professionalism and accountability. Sinclair also urged Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA, a conservative campus group founded by Kirk.
An unnamed insider told The Wall Street Journal that Kimmel's show could be back within days, but Sinclair’s hard-line stance and Kimmel’s reported anger over the suspension have fueled questions about a possible return. The move follows Monday nights remarks in which Kimmel characterized the alleged assassin as a MAGA supporter, a claim that drew sharp public scrutiny.
Investigators described the suspect in Kirk’s case as holding differing political views and noted personal details that conflicted with Kimmel’s assertion. After the shooting, Kimmel posted on social media offering condolences to the Kirks and to others affected by gun violence.
The decision drew responses from regulators and politicians. FCC Chair Brendan Carr told a conservative podcast that he was considering an investigation into Kimmel and ABC for the remarks. Carr described the host’s conduct as among the more troubling examples he had seen and said broadcasters bear a responsibility to maintain respectful, constructive dialogue in their communities.
Sinclair’s move drew mixed reaction in the industry and among political observers. Nexstar Media Group, the largest station owner, said it would also stop airing Kimmel in ABC-affiliated markets in a related move, with Nexstar executives criticizing the remarks as offensive and insensitive. Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s broadcasting division president, highlighted the company’s stance as part of a broader debate over accountability in broadcasting.
Reaction from public figures was swift. Some lawmakers and commentators argued the action reflected accountability in legacy media, while others warned of potential First Amendment implications. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the decision as an example of holding media to account, while former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly criticized Kimmel’s remarks as inexplicable. President Donald Trump lauded the move on Truth Social, calling for broader changes in late-night programming.
As the industry watches the fallout, staff at Kimmel’s production team were seen leaving the Los Angeles studio with gear in hand, and the show’s sidekick Guillermo Rodríguez was photographed leaving the venue amid questions from reporters. The broader industry will be watching whether ABC and Sinclair reach a negotiated settlement or whether the suspension persists through the weekend and beyond, with scheduling and negotiations potentially altering the late-night lineup across multiple markets.