ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely” following a wave of criticism over remarks the comedian made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be pre-empted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
The move by the Disney-owned network followed an announcement from Nexstar, one of the largest operators of ABC affiliates, that it would no longer air the late-night program “for the foreseeable future.” Nexstar said it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk.”
During his Monday night opening monologue, Kimmel addressed reactions to the incident. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” he said, later adding: “Some people are cheering this, which is something I won’t ever understand.”
Former President Donald Trump quickly welcomed ABC’s decision, posting on his social media platform: “Great news for America: The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.” However, the suspension of the program has not yet been made permanent.
