Zohran Mamdani withdraws from WABC-TV town hall over Jimmy Kimmel suspension

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has announced he is pulling out of a scheduled town hall event on WABC-TV in protest of the network’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! The move comes amid controversy surrounding the show’s removal following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and threats linked to the Trump administration.

Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, confirmed his withdrawal from the town hall slated for Thursday. Speaking to AMNY, he criticized ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel’s program, stating, “ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel off the air after the FCC sought to pressure them. The message that it sends to each and every American across this country is a message the First Amendment is no longer a right that can be counted on, but rather that it is government which will determine what should and should not be discussed, what can and cannot be spoken.”

He emphasized the importance of resisting such actions, adding, “We cannot normalize these kinds of acts nor offenses. These must be the basis upon which we act.”

The suspension of Kimmel’s show occurred on Wednesday, just hours after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly threatened ABC and its affiliates over comments made by Kimmel earlier in the week. This decision has sparked widespread backlash, raising concerns about free speech rights and corporate capitulation under political pressure.

WABC, owned by ABC’s parent company The Walt Disney Company, has yet to comment on Mamdani’s withdrawal or the suspension of Kimmel’s show. The timing of these events coincides with Disney’s ongoing regulatory processes, including transactions pending approval from the current administration.

Additionally, Nexstar Media Group, another major ABC affiliate owner, announced it was removing Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its stations. Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a merger with Tegna, which depends on regulatory changes to media ownership rules limiting the number of stations a company can own.

This controversy highlights the complex intersection of media regulation, political influence, and freedom of expression in today’s broadcast landscape.