Top American talk show canceled following MAGA and Charlie Kirk remarks
Photo: Jimmy Kimmel (people.com)
ABC, a Disney company network, has decided to suspend the broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel's evening talk show indefinitely. This occurred after a scandal surrounding his comments about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, reports CNN.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely," an ABC representative said, declining further comment.
Kimmel's comments
In his monologue, Kimmel criticized MAGA supporters, saying they are trying to use Kirk's murder for political purposes.
"The MAGA Gang (is) 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.
These remarks provoked a strong reaction from conservative media and criticism from commentators close to Trump.
Political pressure
The decision to pull the show from the air came shortly after a Trump administration official responsible for licensing local ABC stations publicly demanded that the host be punished.
Major media holdings Nexstar and Sinclair, which own the stations, stated that they were removing the show from the air, raising suspicions of an attempt to gain favor with the White House.
President Donald Trump, while visiting the United Kingdom, welcomed the decision. "Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done," he wrote on Truth Social.
Reaction and criticism
Free speech groups sharply condemned the decision, calling it an act of cowardice. FCC Vice Chair Brendan Carr said the agency could revoke station licenses if the company does not take action against Kimmel.
In response, FCC Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez noted that "the First Amendment does not allow us, the FCC, to tell broadcasters what they can broadcast." She warned that such measures set a dangerous precedent of press intimidation.
Media holdings' involvement
Nexstar and Sinclair, which have business interests dependent on the Trump administration, said they would replace the show with other content. Sinclair also announced a special program in memory of Kirk.
The SAG-AFTRA film and television actors' union condemned ABC's decision. "Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on," the union said in a statement.
Jimmy Kimmel's show
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show airing on ABC since 2003.
The program is hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
The format is typical for American late-night shows: a host monologue commenting on current events, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and comedy sketches.
The show is filmed in Hollywood at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre studio.
It is considered one of the most popular and influential shows in the US, competing with programs by Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.
Charlie Kirk is an American far-right political activist, founder and leader of the youth movement Turning Point USA, which promotes conservative values, supports Republicans, and backs Donald Trump. Kirk was one of the most prominent ideologues and speakers of the US right-wing movement, regularly participating in political shows and campaigns.
His murder provoked a strong reaction as he was a key figure for American conservatives. Right-wing politicians accused leftist movements of creating a climate of hatred, while critics point out that the Trump administration is using the tragedy as a pretext to pressure opponents and the media.
US President Donald Trump declared the ANTIFA movement a "terrorist organization" after Kirk's murder.
