ABC Cancels 'Kirk Jimmy Kimmel Live' Over Charlie Remarks
By Global Leaders Insights Team | Sep 18, 2025
ABC, part of the Walt Disney family, has taken "Jimmy Kimmel Live" off the air for the foreseeable future after host Jimmy Kimmel stirred up a firestorm with comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The network made the call on September 17, and it’s got people talking about everything from free speech to political pressure.
On his Monday show, September 15, Kimmel didn’t hold back while talking about Charlie Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University on September 10. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately 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. He also poked fun at President Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death, saying it was like “how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
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Those words hit a nerve, with critics like FCC Chairman Brendan Carr slamming them as heartless and even hinting at consequences for ABC.
Nexstar Media Group, which runs 32 ABC stations, was quick to act, pulling the plug on airing the show. “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s broadcasting head. ABC followed suit, simply saying the show is “on hold for now” without giving more details.
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With President Trump pushing for networks to dial back content he doesn’t like, some worry this could be a sign of bigger issues around media freedom. Kimmel’s show, a late-night favorite since 2003, has been losing steam, with viewership among 18–49-year-olds dropping 24% earlier this year. Neither Kimmel nor ABC has said much since the announcement. For now, fans can catch old episodes on ABC.com or YouTube, but it’s anyone’s guess when—or if—the show will be back.
