Something’s in the air for America’s late-night hosts. First Stephen Colbert was sidelined earlier this year, and now Jimmy Kimmel has been yanked from the ABC line up after remarks about the controversial figure Charlie Kirk.
Just days after Kirk’s shocking death, Kimmel’s monologue set off a storm that’s left Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended indefinitely.
Who Is Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, and one of the Republican party’s most prominent young voices.
Known for his close ties to Donald Trump and regular appearances discussing a hotbed of topics on college campuses, Kirk was a staple of conservative media and political commentary.
On September 10, 2025, Kirk was fatally shot while giving a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities allege 22-year old Tyler Robinson opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty.
What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say About Charlie Kirk?
During his first monologue after Kirk’s death, Kimmel accused right-wing figures of trying to spin the shooting for their own gain. “The MAGA gang is 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.
He also criticised Donald Trump’s response as “hypocritical”, suggesting conservative leaders were deflecting responsibility, rather than uniting in the aftermath.
The remarks, delivered with Kimmel’s trademark mix of satire and bite, immediately drew backlash.
What Happened After Jimmy Kimmel’s Remarks?
The fallout was swift to say the least.
- ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, pulling it from the schedule.
- Nexstar Media Group, which owns dozens of ABC affiliates, dropped the show, labelling the show “offensive and insensitive”.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s comments and suggested ABC’s parent company, Disney, could face regulatory scrutiny.
President Trump applauded the suspension, while free-speech advocates argued it set a troubling precedent for political satire on television.
Where Does This Leave Jimmy Kimmel?
At present, ABC has not said when – or if Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return. Kimmel has not issued a full apology, and debate continues over whether his remarks crossed a line or were simply part of the late-night tradition of sharp political commentary.
What’s clear is that the battle over how far broadcast satire can go in an increasingly divided America.
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