NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel's future on television hangs in the balance after ABC suspended his late-night show amidst significant backlash for his comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In remarks made earlier this week, Kimmel suggested that many in 'MAGA land' were trying to exploit Kirk's murder for political advantage. His comments did not sit well with affiliate groups Nexstar Communications and Sinclair Broadcast Group, with the former announcing it would cease airing the popular late-night show.
Nexstar's president, Andrew Alford, labeled Kimmel's remarks as 'offensive and insensitive.' The network, which operates several ABC affiliates, joined a growing list of stations distancing themselves from Kimmel's program. Sinclair has also called for Kimmel to publicly apologize to Kirk's family.
While Kimmel was mostly silent on the controversy, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr applauded the actions of the affiliate groups, stating on CNBC that they are reinforcing the public interest and threatening to hold networks accountable for spreading misinformation.
President Donald Trump also responded positively to ABC's decision, commenting on social media that the network had shown courage in its actions. Carr further stated that Kimmel's comments deemed misinformative, were part of a broader issue that his agency is aiming to address.
As for Kimmel's show, the future remains uncertain, as his contract is set to expire in May 2026. ABC's statement regarding the suspension did not disclose specific reasons for pulling the show, which has been on air since 2003. Whether Kimmel will return after this suspension is unclear, particularly as political tensions rise surrounding media coverage of such events.
