By Sophie Perry

Copyright thepinknews

In a move widely condemned as “state censorship” and an attack on free speech, ABC has pulled talk show host Jimmy Kimmel from the air “indefinitely” over comments he made about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel was accused of making he made “offensive and insensitive” comments about the death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk – and his subsequent removal from US TV screens has been welcomed by president and Kirk ally Donald Trump.

ABC, which is owned by Disney, confirmed the decision on Wednesday (17 September) with a spokesperson stating: “Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely.”

In response to the decision, Trump celebrated on his Truth Social platform, saying it was “great news for America”.

“The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” he wrote.

“State censorship in real time”

However, many free speech advocates on both sides of the political spectrum expressed concern about the move. Political analyst Brian Allen described the move as “state censorship in real time” in a viral tweet.

🚨 Jimmy Kimmel Live pulled off air. Why? He joked Kirk’s killer might’ve been pro-Trump. Within 48 hrs, Trump’s FCC threatened Disney/ABC’s license and they caved. That’s not “cancel culture.” That’s state censorship in real time. pic.twitter.com/t0mD6idZPM— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) September 17, 2025

Illinois governor also hit out at the decision, saying: “What’s at stake here is free speech. Across the board, we’ve seen the Trump administration use the power of government to go after anybody who’s criticized them — and in this case, Jimmy Kimmel. We need to all stand up and speak out.”

What’s at stake here is free speech.Across the board, we’ve seen the Trump administration use the power of government to go after anybody who’s criticized them — and in this case, Jimmy Kimmel.We need to all stand up and speak out. pic.twitter.com/zRMBd7K5oh— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 18, 2025

Republicans Against Trump also tweeted: “Not a big fan of Jimmy Kimmel, but if you think his show should be canceled for this, you’re a hack and a total fraud who should never pretend to care about free speech.”

California governor Gavin Newsom also commented on ABC’s actions, saying: “Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”

And the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA had this to say: “Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed. The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.”

SAG-AFTRA has condemned the suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’:“Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed. The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.” pic.twitter.com/ZhVRSp87GD— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 18, 2025

Turning Point USA founder Kirk, 31, known for his gun rights advocacy and anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs, was shot in the neck while holding a debate at Utah Valley University, in Orem, on Wednesday (10 September). He was rushed to hospital but later died of his injuries.

In the seconds before the gun shot, which came from the roof of a nearby university building, Kirk had been discussing the conservative conspiracy theory about trans shooters.

After a huge manhunt, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested for Kirk’s killing. He faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, which can carry the death penalty in Utah.

Nexstar Media – largest television station owner in the US – said the company’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with ABC will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future” due to his comments about Kirk being “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse”.

“We do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said in a news release issued by the media conglomerate.

“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”

Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission and a Trump appointee, also criticised Kimmel prior to his show’s suspension, labelling his comments “the sickest conduct possible” and playing “into the narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or Republican-motivated person”.

“When we see stuff like this, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr said.

“Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest”

Following Nexstar’s decision not to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! Carr thanked the company for “for doing the right thing”

“Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead.”

According to sources close to Jimmy Kimmel’s show, cited by THR, the host was planning to address the backlash on Wednesday night and explain how his comments had been taken out of context. He was not prepared to apologise, however.

After Kimmel’s suspension, Sinclair – the largest ABC affiliate group in the US – said it was not enough and announced it would air Sinclair’s a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk during Jimmy Kimmel time slot on Friday (19 September).

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said vice chairman Jason Smith said in a news release.

“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”

Sinclair also called on Kimmel to apologise to Kirk’s family and give them, and Turning Point USA, a “meaningful personal” donation.

What did Jimmy Kimmel say?

During his opening monologue on Monday (15 September) Kimmel – who has long been a Trump critic – claimed the “MAGA gang” was crying to capitalise on the death of Charlie Kirk and noted Tyler Robinson’s conservative upbringing.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise 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 said.

“In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” Kimmel went on to say. “On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this.”

The screen then cuts to a clip of Trump saying he is feeling “very good” in the wake of Kirk’s death before proceeding to discuss the construction of a new ballroom at the White House.

Kimmel nodded: “Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”

“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”