ABC has pulled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off air indefinitely over comments he made about the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely, a spokesperson for the Disney-owned network said in a statement. Kimmel did not comment to the BBC as he emerged shortly afterwards from the television studio in Los Angeles.
Earlier this week, Kimmel said during his show that the Maga gang was trying to score political points off Kirk's killing. A 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on Tuesday charged with aggravated murder over last week's shooting of the 31-year-old conservative activist.
Kimmel said in his Monday night monologue: The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. The late-night host also criticized flags being flown at half mast in honour of Kirk, and mocked US President Donald Trump's reaction to the shooting.
On the day Kirk was shot, Kimmel took to Instagram to condemn the attack and send love to the conservative activist's family. However, authorities have not specified a motive in Kirk's fatal shooting on 10 September. According to charging documents, the suspect's mother explained that over the last year or so, he had become politically active, leaning more towards pro-gay and trans-rights causes.
Shortly after ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump said it was great news for America. In his social media post, he declared that the ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED and congratulated ABC for its decision.
The announcement regarding Kimmel's suspension followed a backlash, including comments from the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, who called Kimmel's conduct sickening and urged Disney to take action. Conversely, the Writers Guild of America criticized the decision to pull Kimmel off air as a violation of free speech rights.
Despite the suspension, a person familiar with the matter indicated that Kimmel has not been fired and that ABC intends to discuss his return to the show. The decision reflects ongoing tensions in late-night TV, where hosts like Kimmel have become targets in politically charged environments.
As Kimmel left the studio without comment, fans expressed their disappointment, emphasizing their belief in free speech rights. A small protest also took place outside the studio, adding to the charged atmosphere surrounding Kimmel's suspension.
Earlier this week, Kimmel said during his show that the Maga gang was trying to score political points off Kirk's killing. A 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on Tuesday charged with aggravated murder over last week's shooting of the 31-year-old conservative activist.
Kimmel said in his Monday night monologue: The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. The late-night host also criticized flags being flown at half mast in honour of Kirk, and mocked US President Donald Trump's reaction to the shooting.
On the day Kirk was shot, Kimmel took to Instagram to condemn the attack and send love to the conservative activist's family. However, authorities have not specified a motive in Kirk's fatal shooting on 10 September. According to charging documents, the suspect's mother explained that over the last year or so, he had become politically active, leaning more towards pro-gay and trans-rights causes.
Shortly after ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump said it was great news for America. In his social media post, he declared that the ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED and congratulated ABC for its decision.
The announcement regarding Kimmel's suspension followed a backlash, including comments from the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, who called Kimmel's conduct sickening and urged Disney to take action. Conversely, the Writers Guild of America criticized the decision to pull Kimmel off air as a violation of free speech rights.
Despite the suspension, a person familiar with the matter indicated that Kimmel has not been fired and that ABC intends to discuss his return to the show. The decision reflects ongoing tensions in late-night TV, where hosts like Kimmel have become targets in politically charged environments.
As Kimmel left the studio without comment, fans expressed their disappointment, emphasizing their belief in free speech rights. A small protest also took place outside the studio, adding to the charged atmosphere surrounding Kimmel's suspension.
