The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! Indefinitely after the comedian used his monologue to launch an attack on Donald Trump supporters over the murder of activist Charlie Kirk.
During Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel accused conservatives of twisting the narrative around the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, in order to score political points.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise 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.
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The host went further, mocking Trump’s response to Kirk’s death by airing a clip of the former president bragging about a ballroom project at the White House, telling viewers: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of somebody called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
The remarks provoked sharp criticism and drew the attention of the Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Brendan Carr, who warned ABC affiliates that airing the show could put their licences at risk.
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“I think it’s past time these affiliates themselves push back… and say, ‘Listen, we’re not going to run Kimmel anymore until you straighten this out because we’re running the possibility of licence revocation from the FCC,’” Carr said.
Nexstar, one of the largest owners of ABC affiliates, quickly moved to drop the programme, and ABC’s parent company Disney followed by suspending the show nationwide.
Trump celebrated the development, writing on Truth Social: “Great News for America. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
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The president also called for NBC to remove Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, describing them as “two total losers.”
Audience members who turned up for the taping in Hollywood were turned away, while Kimmel and his representatives have declined to comment.
Critics of the host said the suspension was the direct result of his repeated attacks on conservatives and his handling of Kirk’s murder in particular.
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