Jimmy Kimmel Temporarily Off the Air Following Controversial Comments
Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running talk show has been put on hold, at least for the immediate future. ABC confirmed on Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will not air “for the foreseeable future,” beginning with that evening’s episode.
The network’s decision has sparked widespread debate and criticism. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, currently on a state visit to the United Kingdom, praised the move, referring to Kimmel as a “loser.”
A Talk Show Paused
The suspension of Kimmel’s program comes after comments he made regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk. Nexstar Media Group, along with its affiliated ABC stations, announced the preemption, citing objection to Kimmel’s remarks.
In a statement, Nexstar said:
“Nexstar’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future, starting tonight. The company strongly objects to recent statements made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with alternative programming in ABC-affiliated markets.”
The Controversial Comments
Kimmel’s remarks came on Monday night when he addressed Kirk’s killing, saying:
“We hit new lows over the weekend with the MAGA crowd trying to label the individual who killed Charlie Kirk as something other than one of them, using it to score political points.”
He also criticized the lowering of flags in Kirk’s honor and mocked President Trump’s reaction, stating:
“This is not how an adult grieves the death of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Reactions and Criticism
The host faced strong criticism following his comments. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr spoke out, warning that continued broadcasts of Kimmel’s show could put ABC affiliates at risk of fines or license revocation. He emphasized the responsibility of licensed broadcasters to push back against content they deemed misleading.
Donald Trump echoed the sentiment, using his Truth Social account to celebrate the show’s cancellation:
“Great news for America: The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. ABC finally had the courage to do what needed to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent and even worse ratings than Colbert. That leaves Jimmy and Seth [Myers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC with horrible ratings as well. Do it, NBC!!!”
Kimmel’s Response
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kimmel had planned to address the backlash on Wednesday night’s show. However, the cancellation prevented him from doing so. Reports suggest that while he intended to clarify his comments, Kimmel was not planning to issue an apology.
Public Discussion
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has raised questions about the balance between free speech, public accountability, and media responsibility. Viewers are invited to share their opinions and continue the conversation about the implications of this decision.