ABC has pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air “indefinitely.” The move follows Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing, in which he called out MAGA supporters for politicizing the tragedy.
In his Sept. 15 monologue, Kimmel said the “MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Nexstar, the nation’s largest owner of ABC affiliates, called the comments “offensive” and “insensitive” and announced it would stop airing the show. The company, which owns multiple ABC affiliates and is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna that would make it the nation’s largest local broadcaster, is facing heightened scrutiny as it moves forward with the deal.
The backlash did not stop there. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr threatened Disney’s broadcast licenses and called Kimmel “talentless,” while President Donald Trump celebrated the cancellation on Truth Social.
The ACLU called the move “beyond McCarthyism,” accusing the networks of caving to political pressure.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker posted on X, warning, “A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.”
A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.
This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.
All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 17, 2025
Kimmel’s suspension is part of a broader wave, with journalists, academics and even restaurant workers losing jobs over comments tied to Kirk’s death.
The question remains: Are we witnessing accountability or a dangerous crackdown on free speech in America?
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
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