ABC Suspends ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Indefinitely Following Host’s Remarks on Charlie Kirk’s Death
ABC has canceled Jimmy Kimmel Live! permanently after the host made derogatory remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. This is causing nationwide debates about free speech and media management. Many lawmakers, media watchdogs, and late-night presenters say the suspension is bad for US press freedom.
Kimmel launched the fight on September 15, 2025, by saying certain politicians were using Kirk’s death for political gain. Kimmel said former President Donald Trump fans tried to make the killer seem left-wing. The tragedy would have become political. These comments followed Kirk’s death by a Utah university shooter, which sparked American division.
After Kimmel’s statement, Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC-affiliated stations, said it will delay Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future” on its networks. ABC soon confirmed the show’s permanent hiatus. Kimmel’s cruel words prompted the decision, they stated. Some say the choice was a political concession, which worries me about how much government and corporate interests may influence media coverage.
Trump appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr. Kimmel’s statements were “misleading” and might imperil ABC’s broadcast licenses, he said. Some believe Carr’s statements were aimed to intimidate the media into not reporting opposing views. Obama, who was president from 2009 to 2011, likewise opposed the stoppage. It was “government coercion” and a First Amendment infringement, he said.
Professionals that work with Kimmel have reacted vehemently to the restriction. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers have defended Kimmel, calling the decision an attack on free expression. Former late-night TV presenter David Letterman termed the change “misery” and said ABC had accepted a “authoritarian and criminal administration.” I agree with these views. Marc Maron, a comedian, claimed the restriction hurts US media freedom.
The media’s role in politics has been discussed beyond Kimmel’s suspension. Some claim the action illustrates that corporate media outlets endorse political ideas, making them less able to provide fair news. Kimmel fans argue the suspension is an overreach by companies and the government because what he said was protected speech.
What will happen to late-night TV and what speech is acceptable in the media remains unclear after all the arguments. This event highlights how difficult it is to protect free expression while satisfying media-focused economic and political interests.
Sources
Associated Press
Reuters
The Guardian
The New York Times
The Washington Post
People Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
