Hollywood woke up to shocking news this week: Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been taken off the air indefinitely.
ABC made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that the long-running talk show would not air “for the foreseeable future.”
The decision came after Kimmel made controversial comments regarding the recent assassination of conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s Controversial Comments Spark Backlash
During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel suggested that the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, had conservative leanings and implied the “MAGA gang” was trying to exploit Kirk’s death for political gain.
Investigators, however, have stated that Robinson, 22, actually held far-left ideologies and was in a relationship with his transgender roommate.
Robinson has been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder, after the shooting at Utah Valley University.
Kimmel’s remarks triggered strong objections from the Federal Communications Commission, as well as from ABC’s affiliate group Nexstar, which announced it would replace the show with alternative programming in its markets.
Stars Rally to Defend Kimmel
Many celebrities took to social media to express outrage over Kimmel’s removal.
Singer Halsey reposted the news on Instagram, adding a comment about “extreme censorship” and “fascism.”
John Legend shared a post from David Frum criticizing attempts to intimidate broadcasters. Actor Ben Stiller simply wrote on X: “This isn’t right.”
Political commentator Chris Hayes called the move “the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom warned of coordinated efforts to control media platforms, cancel shows, and fire commentators, saying, “The GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Actress Alison Brie described the news as “unreal and very scary.”
Industry Icons Speak Out
Christie Brinkley posted a photo of Kimmel with fellow late-night hosts Colbert, Fallon, Meyers, and Oliver, urging protection of First Amendment rights: “The laughter they provide is as important as the air we breathe.”
Justin Theroux expressed frustration, emphasizing that “culture > politics,” while Succession actress Justine Lupe highlighted broader attacks on arts institutions like NPR, CBS, and The Kennedy Center.
Don Lemon called it “scary s**t” on Threads, noting the irony of those complaining about cancel culture being the ones actively canceling others.
Trump and Conservative Reactions
Former President Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, describing Kimmel as “ratings challenged” and congratulating ABC for “finally having the courage” to cancel the show.
Trump also referenced Stephen Colbert’s late-night show, which CBS announced would end in May 2026 despite winning an Emmy recently.
The former president has been embroiled in several lawsuits against media outlets, including a $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times and a $10 billion suit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch.
The Controversy Behind the Suspension
ABC’s drastic move followed Kimmel’s Monday night remarks, which drew criticism from Nexstar and FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Carr described Kimmel’s comments as “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested the possibility of sanctions, including an on-air apology or suspension.
Nexstar’s president, Andrew Alford, called Kimmel’s statements “offensive and insensitive” in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.
The network emphasized that the decision was in response to the nature of the comments rather than the tragedy itself.
Kimmel’s Mixed Response to Tragedy
After the shooting on September 10 at Utah Valley University, Kimmel initially expressed sympathy online, condemning the act as “horrible and monstrous” and sending condolences to the Kirk family.
But during his televised monologue, his remarks shifted in tone, attributing political motives to the tragedy, which ultimately led to ABC pulling the plug on his show.
Social Media Reactions and Cultural Debate
The suspension has reignited debates about free speech, cancel culture, and the role of political commentary in entertainment.
Both Benny Johnson and Brendan Carr celebrated Nexstar’s decision on X, reinforcing the idea that media platforms must be held accountable for statements that may misrepresent ongoing investigations or inflame political tensions.