ABC has suspended its late-night program “Jimmy Kimmel Live” indefinitely after the host’s monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew a severe threat from a top US communications regulator. The move came after FCC Chair Brendan Carr, in a podcast interview, urged local broadcasters to drop the show, suggesting the FCC could investigate and potentially fine stations or revoke their licenses. This pressure prompted major ABC affiliate groups like Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair to preemptively pull the show from their stations, with Sinclair demanding an apology from Kimmel and planning to air a tribute to Kirk in its place.
The incident marks the latest in a series of repercussions for media figures and others who have made remarks about Kirk’s killing. Kimmel drew fire for stating that conservative groups were trying to characterize the shooter as “anything other than one of them” to score political points. His suspension follows other high-profile firings, including MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, for their comments on the assassination. Republican leaders have warned Americans to mourn Kirk respectfully or face consequences, creating a climate where online discussions about the killing have led to professional penalties.
The decision was met with starkly divided political reactions. Former President Donald Trump celebrated the news on social media and called for NBC to fire other late-night hosts who criticize him. Conversely, Democratic lawmakers decried the move as an attack on free speech, with Senator Ed Markey calling it “censorship in action.” FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the panel’s sole Democrat, stated that U.S. free-speech laws should prevent the FCC from dictating content to broadcasters, accusing the administration of using government power to suppress lawful expression.
This event is part of a broader pattern of legal and regulatory pressure on media companies under the current administration. Trump has repeatedly sued, berated, and threatened outlets over coverage he disputes, recently filing a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times and Penguin Random House. The suspension of Kimmel’s show underscores the intense political polarization influencing media content and the potent impact of regulatory threats on corporate broadcasting decisions.
