In a surprising turn of events, late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel has found himself at the center of a controversy that has led to the indefinite suspension of his show. The decision follows remarks Kimmel made regarding the suspected assassin of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which have sparked significant backlash, even attracting the attention of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
On September 17, ABC announced it would cease airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live” indefinitely after Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s assassination stirred outrage. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates ABC stations, declared that during Kimmel’s usual time slot, they would instead air a special tribute to Kirk. This special will also be available across all Sinclair stations nationwide this weekend, further emphasizing the network’s commitment to honoring Kirk’s memory.
During a recent episode, Kimmel delivered a monologue that ignited the controversy. He criticized the efforts of some to distance the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, from the “MAGA gang,” suggesting that political opportunism was at play in the aftermath of the tragedy.
As ABC’s decision unfolded, Nexstar Media Group, which operates 32 ABC affiliate stations, announced it would also stop airing Kimmel’s show. Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, described Kimmel’s comments as “offensive and insensitive,” asserting that continuing to broadcast the show was not in the public interest at this critical juncture in national dialogue.
Kimmel’s remarks did not merely receive criticism from Nexstar; they also drew ire from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. In a statement on X, Carr commended Nexstar for its decision, emphasizing that local broadcasters have a duty to uphold community values and that Kimmel’s comments fell short of this obligation. He indicated that the FCC could pursue action against Kimmel and ABC for disseminating what he termed politically charged misinformation.
Reflecting on the political ramifications, former President Donald Trump praised ABC’s suspension of Kimmel, suggesting it was a much-needed action. He cheekily noted that with Kimmel sidelined, only Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers remain as NBC’s late-night hosts, adding pressure on the network to reconsider its programming choices.
Conversely, Democrats have condemned ABC’s decision to suspend Kimmel. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voiced his concerns on X, arguing that this situation threatens the fundamental principle of free speech in America. He stressed that citizens across the political spectrum should unite to oppose this action against Kimmel, framing it as a crucial fight for democracy.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed these sentiments, urging ABC to reverse its decision and highlighting the historical precedent of the network as a bastion of free speech, calling the current situation an alarming display of pressure from the federal government.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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