ABC Pulls “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Indefinitely After Charlie Kirk Remarks

Summary:

• ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! due to controversial comments about Charlie Kirk, sparking debate over free speech and media responsibility.

• Nexstar Media Group pulls Kimmel’s show from its ABC-affiliated stations, citing offensive remarks and lack of community alignment.

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr hints at regulatory consequences for ABC and Disney if controversy is not addressed.

ABC announced late Wednesday that it is suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, following controversy over host Jimmy Kimmel’s comments regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

During Monday’s monologue, Kimmel took aim at what he described as attempts by conservative figures to politicize Kirk’s killing. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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. 

🔥🚨BREAKING NEWS: Disney’s ABC just officially canceled the Jimmy Kimmel show indefinitely after the late-night host’s recent remarks about Charlie Kirk. This has been confirmed by ABC affiliate groups that verified they would be dropping the host. pic.twitter.com/blieAF8k2s

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) September 17, 2025

Nexstar Media Group, which owns dozens of ABC-affiliated stations, immediately said it would preempt Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future.” The company called his remarks “offensive and insensitive,” saying they don’t match “the spectrum of opinions, views or values of the local communities in which we are located.”

Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, argued that continuing to broadcast Kimmel’s show was “simply not in the public interest at the current time,” and that Nexstar was replacing the show to allow “cooler heads [to] prevail… toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.” 

This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close. https://t.co/uMjEZkIpat

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 17, 2025

FCC Chair Brendan Carr also weighed in. In a podcast interview, Carr suggested that there could be regulatory consequences for ABC and Disney if the network didn’t address the controversy. He emphasized that broadcasters hold licenses under FCC rules, which come with obligations to serve the public interest. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” he said.

What ABC Has Said

ABC, via Disney, confirmed the show will be preempted indefinitely. The network has not yet given a full explanation beyond that, nor has Kimmel or his representatives made a substantive public response as of this writing. The decision by Nexstar means that the show will not air on many ABC-affiliated stations in key U.S. markets. 

The move has reignited debate about free speech, media responsibility, and how late-night hosts address political issues. Some view the suspension as a necessary corporate response to offensive commentary; others see it as evidence of regulatory overreach.

Kimmel’s contract with ABC runs until May 2026, adding uncertainty about whether Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return.