Jimmy Kimmel has been ordered to apologise and make a “meaningful personal donation” to Charlie Kirk’s non-profit if he wants his talk show reinstated. Sinclair, the broadcasting company that operates the largest ABC affiliate group in the US, pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host suggested that Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Kirk at a Utah university, was aligned with the Make America Great Again movement.
Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said the company “objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk” and decided to “indefinitely preempt” the show. The broadcaster also demanded a direct apology to the Kirk family and a donation to Turning Point USA, Kirk’s conservative advocacy group. Sinclair’s ABC stations in 30 markets will air a special remembrance programme in the show’s timeslot on Friday.
Late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart voiced support for Kimmel, with Colbert calling the suspension “blatant censorship”. Fallon expressed hope that Kimmel’s show would return. The controversy has sparked debate over free speech and media accountability in the US.
