In a move that shocked many, ABC has indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its schedule. The decision follows a controversial comment made by Kimmel about the tragic death of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
The backlash from Kimmel’s remarks led to the suspension of his late-night show. This article provides a closer examination of the reasons behind ABC’s decision and its implications for the future of Kimmel’s program.
Why Was “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Pulled?
The indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! came shortly after Kimmel’s controversial comments regarding the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. During his monologue on September 15, 2025, Kimmel addressed Kirk’s death, which occurred on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
In his remarks, Kimmel directly criticized President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” supporters, saying, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
His comments, which many deemed insensitive, sparked immediate backlash from viewers, the public, and media companies. As a result, ABC made the decision to pull the show from the airwaves indefinitely to avoid further controversy.
Nexstar Media’s Role in Preempting the Show
Nexstar Media, which owns a number of ABC-affiliated stations, played a pivotal role in the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air. In a statement, Nexstar confirmed that it would be preempting Kimmel’s show indefinitely, replacing it with other programming.
The media company cited Kimmel’s comments about the death of Charlie Kirk as “offensive and insensitive,” particularly in the current polarized political climate. This decision highlights how media companies are increasingly sensitive to public sentiment and the political atmosphere surrounding television programming.
The Fallout from Kimmel’s Comments
Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death come at a time of heightened political tensions in the U.S., with late-night shows increasingly immersed in political discourse. Known for criticizing President Donald Trump, Kimmel’s comment about Kirk seemed to cross a line, prompting ABC and Nexstar to reconsider the show’s future.
Following The Late Show‘s cancellation, Trump took to Truth Social, claiming, “The word is, and it’s a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, [Jimmy] Fallon will be gone. These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid millions of dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television. It’s really good to see them go, and I hope I played a major part in it!“