Trump cheers ABC suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

ABC has suspended new episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host’s remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked intense backlash.

During a recent monologue, Kimmel criticized what he described as members of the MAGA movement attempting to twist the narrative of the shooting for political advantage.

His comments prompted anger from conservative figures, affiliates, and regulators, with many calling them offensive and inappropriate.

The controversy escalated when two major broadcast groups moved against the show. Nexstar Media Group, which owns dozens of ABC affiliates, announced it would not broadcast the program in its markets, while Sinclair Broadcast Group also pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its ABC stations.

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr added further pressure, condemning Kimmel’s words and warning that broadcasters could face consequences if they continued airing the show.

Under this combined backlash, ABC confirmed that the late-night show would be suspended indefinitely.

Donald Trump praised the network’s move, calling it “Great News for America.”

In a statement, he derided Kimmel’s ratings, mocked his comedic ability, and urged other networks to cancel late-night figures such as Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

-X

Kimmel himself has not issued a full public statement, though reports suggest he had been preparing to clarify that his intent was not to link the accused shooter directly to the MAGA movement but to criticize how some political figures were handling the tragedy. His silence so far has left the debate open.

The decision has fueled a wider clash over free expression and political pressure on media.

Supporters of the suspension argue that television personalities must be held responsible for harmful or inflammatory remarks, while critics view the move as a dangerous case of corporate self-censorship under threat of political and regulatory retaliation.

The future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain as ABC faces ongoing scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum.