Disney Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live After Controversy Over Remarks on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Walt Disney-owned ABC announced on Wednesday that it was suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, following remarks by host Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move came after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr warned Disney and local broadcasters that airing the show could invite regulatory action.

President Donald Trump, who has often pressed broadcasters to curb content he finds objectionable, hailed the suspension as “the right decision.” By contrast, several Democratic lawmakers condemned the move, calling it an attack on free expression.

The decision marks the latest in a string of suspensions and dismissals of media figures, educators, and corporate employees over their remarks on Kirk’s killing. Kirk, 31, a high-profile conservative activist and Trump ally, was shot while speaking at a Utah university last week. A 22-year-old suspect has been charged with his murder, though a motive has yet to be confirmed.

Kimmel’s Remarks Spark Backlash

Kimmel, a frequent critic of Trump, drew sharp criticism for comments during his Monday night monologue.
“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,” he said.

Carr responded forcefully, warning that repeated “distorted commentary” could lead to fines or loss of broadcast licenses. “This is a very serious issue for Disney,” Carr said in a podcast interview. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Soon after, Nexstar Media Group—seeking FCC approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna—announced it would no longer air Jimmy Kimmel Live on its 32 ABC affiliates. Nexstar’s move was praised by Carr. ABC followed suit, stating that the show would be “preempted indefinitely.” Sinclair Broadcast Group, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate operator, also declared it would not carry Kimmel’s program unless an apology was issued. Instead, Sinclair said it would air a tribute to Kirk during Kimmel’s time slot on Friday.

Kimmel, seen leaving the El Capitan Theatre on Wednesday, did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump Praises Decision, Democrats Push Back

Trump applauded ABC’s decision on Truth Social, adding pressure on NBC to remove fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, both frequent critics of his presidency.
“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote.

Democratic lawmakers criticized the suspension, warning of growing political interference in media. Senator Ed Markey described the decision as “censorship in action.” FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the agency’s only Democrat, added that U.S. free speech protections prevent the commission from dictating broadcast content.

“This administration is increasingly using government power to suppress lawful expression,” Gomez told CNN.

Wider Fallout Across Media

The fallout over commentary on Kirk’s assassination has extended beyond Kimmel. MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd was dismissed after describing Kirk as a “divisive” figure who spread “hate speech.” Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah was also let go over social media posts referencing Kirk’s past remarks on Black women. Both firings drew sharp criticism, with media unions calling them examples of political overreach.

Meanwhile, Trump continues his aggressive legal campaign against media outlets. This week, he filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House. In recent months, Paramount and ABC have both settled multi-million-dollar lawsuits brought by Trump over coverage he alleged was biased and defamatory.

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live adds another flashpoint to the ongoing battle over free speech, political pressure, and the future of media independence in the United States.