The broadcasting giant ABC has temporarily taken its late-night star, Jimmy Kimmel, off the air. The popular host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” faces an indefinite suspension. This follows comments he made about the death of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
An ABC spokesperson confirmed that “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will not be broadcasting for an unknown period.” Kimmel himself has remained quiet since the announcement. The controversy started when Kimmel discussed Kirk’s death on his show this past Monday.
Kimmel had aired a segment where he accused “Make America Great Again” supporters of trying to exploit a child’s murder and Charlie Kirk’s death for political gain. He also criticized the decision to lower flags to half-mast in Kirk’s honor. Furthermore, Kimmel made jokes about how former President Donald Trump reacted to the news.
Political Fallout and Media Backlash
Trump quickly cheered ABC’s decision. He posted on social media that it was “Good news for America, Jimmy Kimmel’s low-rated show has been canceled.” Trump also took shots at other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
Kimmel’s words also drew the anger of Brendan Carr, who leads the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, appointed by Trump, called for ABC to take action against Kimmel. However, Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC, spoke out against Carr’s views. She stated, “Unforgivable political violence by one disturbed person should not be an excuse for wider censorship or control.”
Unions representing Hollywood writers and actors also voiced their displeasure. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA criticized the suspension. They called it a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of speech.
Networks React and Future Uncertainties
The decision by ABC came after other media companies began to distance themselves. Nexstar Media, which owns TV stations across the U.S., announced it would not show Kimmel’s program. They called his comments “aggressive and insensitive” and said they would wait “until an appropriate time.” Sinclair, ABC’s largest partner network in the country, even stated it would air a special tribute to Kirk instead of Kimmel’s show this Friday.
Despite the suspension, sources close to Kimmel told CNBC that he has not been fired. Instead, ABC executives plan to talk with him. These discussions will cover what he should say once he returns to the air.
Outside Kimmel’s Hollywood studio, fans who had lined up to see a taping were visibly disappointed. A small group of protesters also gathered, holding signs that read, “Trump must go now.”
Source: BBC