Donald Trump praises decision to take Jimmy Kimmel off air

Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Off the Air

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” beginning with Wednesday’s episode. The decision follows mounting backlash over Kimmel’s remarks about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Nexstar’s Announcement

Nexstar Media Group, along with its ABC-affiliated stations, confirmed they would stop airing the show. In a statement, the company said it “strongly objects” to Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s killing and will replace the program with alternative content in its markets.

Kimmel’s Remarks

On Monday, Kimmel criticized conservatives for politicizing Kirk’s death, claiming they were trying to portray the shooter as “anything other than one of them.” He also mocked the decision to lower flags to half-mast and ridiculed Donald Trump’s reaction, comparing it to “a four-year-old mourning a goldfish.”

Regulatory Pressure

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned that ABC affiliates risked fines or license revocations if they continued broadcasting Kimmel’s show, citing a “pattern of news distortion.” His comments intensified calls for networks to drop the program.

Trump Responds

Donald Trump, currently on a state visit to the UK, praised the move. On Truth Social, he called the cancellation “great news for America,” labeling Kimmel “untalented” with “worse ratings than Colbert.” He urged NBC to drop Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers as well.

Kimmel’s Plans Cut Short

Reports from The Hollywood Reporter suggest Kimmel had prepared to address the controversy on Wednesday’s episode. He intended to clarify his remarks but did not plan to apologize.

End of an Era?

The suspension leaves the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! uncertain, sparking debate over free speech, accountability, and the role of late-night comedy in political discourse.