A sudden shake-up hit late-night TV this week. Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been pulled off the air without a clear return date. This surprising move came after host Jimmy Kimmel made controversial comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to a spokesperson for ABC, the network confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, September 17, that Kimmel’s show was “suspended indefinitely.” Kirk, who was 31, died on September 10. He was shot during an event at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested Tyler Robinson and charged him in Kirk’s death.
Kimmel addressed Kirk’s passing during his Monday, September 15 broadcast. He spoke about what he called the “MAGA gang” trying to use the death for political gain. Kimmel felt they were reaching “new depths.” He then showed a clip of President Donald Trump, 79, discussing how he was coping with Kirk’s death. Trump replied by talking about ongoing construction in the White House ballroom. Kimmel joked that Trump was in the “fourth stage of grief: construction.” He added, “That’s not how an adult grieves the death of a friend. That’s how a 4-year-old grieves the death of a goldfish.”
The show’s abrupt pause followed earlier rumblings. Before ABC made its decision, Nexstar Media, a company owning several TV stations, had already reportedly threatened to remove Jimmy Kimmel Live from its schedule. Nexstar told Variety in a statement that they “strongly objected” to Kimmel’s “recent comments” about Kirk’s murder.
The unexpected cancellation even left guests in the lurch. Comedian Wanda Sykes, 61, was set to appear on Wednesday night’s show. She shared her thoughts on Instagram, still in full makeup. Sykes explained that the show was “pulled indefinitely, abruptly, due to complaints from the Trump administration.” She ended her message with a heartfelt note, saying, “For those who pray, now is the time to do so. I love you, Jimmy.”
Kimmel, 57, has kept quiet since the news broke. Local news outlet NBCLA captured footage of him leaving his studio Wednesday night. He appeared to be trying to stay out of sight, wearing a baseball cap as he got into a black SUV. Outside the studio, a small group of protesters gathered. They held signs supporting President Trump and chanted at people walking by, making their feelings known.