Disney has decided to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC indefinitely following controversial remarks by host Jimmy Kimmel about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. An ABC spokesperson announced the suspension, effective immediately, starting with Wednesday’s scheduled broadcast.
No return date has been confirmed, though a source familiar with the matter indicated the show could potentially resume in the coming days, depending on developments.
The decision comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel during an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, hinting at potential regulatory action against ABC-owned station licenses. Major ABC affiliates, including Nexstar Media Group, which operates 32 stations, and Sinclair, with 30 stations, announced they would stop airing Kimmel’s show.
BREAKING: The FCC Chairman is threatening immediate action against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Disney for deliberately misleading the public by claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA Conservative.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 17, 2025
Chairman Brendan Carr calls Kimmel’s malicious lies are “truly sick” and says they… pic.twitter.com/mGhtGMPReI
Nexstar’s president of broadcasting, Andrew Alford, called Kimmel’s comments “offensive and insensitive,” arguing they do not reflect the values of their local communities. Sinclair demanded an apology from Kimmel to the Kirk family and a donation to Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, before considering reinstating the show.
Kimmel’s remarks, made during Monday’s broadcast, accused “the MAGA gang” of misrepresenting the individual responsible for Kirk’s death to avoid association with their movement and exploiting the tragedy for political gain. He also mocked former President Donald Trump’s response to the incident, comparing it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” and criticized Vice President JD Vance and others for capitalizing on the event.
Trump celebrated the suspension on Truth Social, calling Kimmel talentless with poor ratings and urging NBC to cancel The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
NBCUniversal has not yet responded to the comments.
Disney’s decision, led by CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden, was influenced by the affiliate backlash, particularly from Nexstar, given its significant number of ABC stations. The move reflects broader tensions, as media organizations face scrutiny from the administration, including restricted access to news conferences and investigations into business practices.
Kimmel has not yet commented on the suspension.