ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s present following feedback he made concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk set off a flood of reactions, together with from President Donald Trump and a fellow late-night host whose present was canceled after he criticized a deal between the Trump administration and his personal community’s dad or mum firm.
Whereas sitting at his desk, Colbert learn aloud parts of an article confirming Kimmel’s suspension to the surprised studio viewers, in keeping with one viewers member, Monserrat Lopez.
“It was a mix of shock and bewilderment,” stated Lopez, 21. “Lots of gasps and dropped jaws for sure.”
After leaving the stage for a couple of minutes, Colbert returned, in keeping with Lopez, “and told us that while he couldn’t find any more public information, he would call Kimmel tomorrow to privately talk.”
CBS stated in July that Colbert’s “Late Show” would finish in Might on account of monetary causes, not something Colbert stated. However the announcement got here three days after Colbert criticized the settlement between Trump and CBS’s dad or mum firm, Paramount International, over a “60 Minutes” story.
Throughout his Monday monologue, Kimmel prompt that the person accused of killing Kirk might need been a pro-Trump Republican. “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,” Kimmel stated. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
Kimmel’s suspension got here after Nexstar Communications Group stated it could pull the present from its 23 ABC associates beginning Wednesday. In a press release, the president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, Andrew Alford, stated Kimmel’s feedback about Kirk’s demise “are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” however he didn’t specify which feedback he discovered objectionable.
The Federal Communications Fee’s chairman additionally weighed in, calling Kimmel’s feedback “truly sick” and saying his company has a robust case for holding Kimmel, ABC and community dad or mum Walt Disney Co. accountable for spreading misinformation.
There was no speedy remark from Kimmel, whose contract is up in Might 2026. In its assertion asserting the Kimmel present’s suspension, ABC didn’t cite a motive.
Right here’s are another notable reactions posted on social media:
Trump
Neither Fallon nor Meyers had commented publicly about Trump’s publish as of Thursday.
Democratic Nationwide Committee Chairman Ken Martin
“The state under Donald Trump has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on First Amendment rights. This is no exaggeration. Trump’s attorney general has directly confirmed that they’ll come after you for your speech, and now his FCC chair has doubled down. It’s not the bully pulpit anymore — it’s the thought police presidency.”
Comic Wanda Sykes
“I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show, but as you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel Show has been pulled indefinitely. Abruptly, because of complaints from the Trump administration. So let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you Jimmy.”
Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly
“I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Jimmy Kimmel got on the air and falsely stated as a fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing an entire movement and Trump in particular with a vile disgusting lie — and at a time when the threat against those on the right is at an all-time high.”
Actor Jean Sensible
“I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”
Comic Mike Birbiglia
“I’ve spent a lot of time in public & private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian & you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
Conservative radio host and podcaster Mark R. Levin
“Kimmel canned for disgusting Kirk comments. … Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger. He should’ve been canned a long time ago. Better late than never.”
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