ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the US government pressured broadcasters to crack down on the comedian, who accused Donald Trump’s political movement of exploiting the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The Disney-owned network announced the decision on Wednesday night, stating the show would be pre-empted for the foreseeable future.
The move has been criticised as part of a broader government attack on free speech in media, academia and business. It follows a campaign by the Trump administration targeting those deemed not to have properly mourned Kirk, who was shot dead while on a speaking tour in Utah. Kimmel is the second prominent US comedian to lose his position in recent months, after CBS scrapped Stephen Colbert’s show in July.
President Trump celebrated the suspension on his Truth Social platform, calling it “Great News for America” and congratulating ABC for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also called for the removal of late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers from NBC. The Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, had urged local broadcasters to stop airing the show, warning of potential fines or licence revocation.
Before ABC’s decision, Nexstar Media, one of the largest US TV station owners, said it strongly objected to Kimmel’s comments and would pre-empt the show on its stations. Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it would run a tribute to Kirk during Kimmel’s timeslot. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the suspension showed another media outlet had “withered under government pressure.”
