ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air Wednesday after the host criticized Trump supporters’ response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Disney-owned ABC confirmed the suspension September 17, 2025, using the television industry term “preempted indefinitely.”
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and Trump ally, died September 10, 2025 after a gunman shot him during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Utah. Police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who fired a single rifle shot to Kirk’s neck from a nearby rooftop. Robinson faces aggravated murder charges. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.
Kimmel’s Monday Monologue
Kimmel addressed Kirk’s death during his September 16 show. He accused Trump supporters of using Kirk’s assassination for political gain. “We hit some 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 and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
The host also criticized Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death. He compared it to how a child processes loss. “This is not how an adult mourns the murder of someone he refers to as a friend; it resembles how a toddler grieves for a goldfish,” Kimmel said.
Station Group Pressure
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened action against ABC affiliates September 17. Carr appeared on a podcast criticizing Kimmel. He urged affiliates to “push back” against ABC.
Nexstar Media Group owns 28 ABC affiliate stations across America. The company announced it would preempt Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future.” Company President Andrew Alford stated: “Mr Kimmel’s remarks about the death of Mr Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political dialogue.”
ABC received feedback from at least one additional station group about the program. Multiple affiliate complaints influenced the network’s decision.
Production Team Caught Off Guard
The announcement shocked Kimmel’s staff. Guests scheduled for Wednesday evening’s taping were already traveling to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood where filming occurs.
A celebrity publicist told CNN: “We are all shell-shocked.” Another studio publicist said: “I cannot believe this is real life.”
Sources told the Daily Mail that Kimmel feels “absolutely furious” about ABC’s decision. A producer described the host as “angry.” He’s currently in discussions with network executives.
Trump Celebrates
President Trump celebrated the suspension on social media. Writing from the United Kingdom during an official visit, Trump posted: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
Trump also criticized other late-night hosts. He called Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers “two total losers” on NBC. He mentioned their poor ratings.
Kimmel has hosted his ABC show for over 20 years. His wife Molly McNearney serves as head writer and executive producer. The indefinite suspension marks an unprecedented move by a major network against one of television’s most established late-night programs.
