Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show has been pulled off the air “indefinitely” after the host made controversial comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC confirmed the move to multiple outlets Wednesday after Kimmel said earlier in the week that the “MAGA gang” was trying to “score political points” from the fatal shooting of Kirk, per Deadline.
President Donald Trump, who has shared his contempt for Kimmel in the past, celebrated the show’s suspension, calling it “Great News for America” in a Truth Social post and urging comedians Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers to be ousted next.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man suspected of killing Kirk, has been officially charged with aggravated murder and six other counts, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Robinson, who surrendered to law enforcement on the evening of September 11, also faces the death penalty if convicted, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
A sheriff involved in the surrender said he agreed to turn himself in if it was done peacefully, without a SWAT team, as he feared being shot.
Showing no emotion, the accused, wearing an anti-suicide vest, appeared virtually from jail before a judge at an initial hearing Tuesday. The next court date is scheduled for September 29.
Officials say Robinson was radicalized online and subscribed to a “leftist” ideology, and that he had a hatred of Kirk, according to text messages he sent to his roommate.
Kirk, co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event at a Utah college on September 10.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance will speak at a memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
Key Points
- Sheriff: Charlie Kirk shooting suspect agreed to surrender if peaceful; feared being shot
- Vance says Kirk killed for saying things assassin thought 'shouldn't be said'
- Liberal nonprofit groups push back against Trump's threats following Kirk's murder
- Charlie Kirk suspect’s texts with roommate shed light on motive
- Robinson appears in anti-suicide vest before judge via video link
- Jimmy Kimmel's show suspended after Charlie Kirk comments
What you need to know
01:14 , Oliver O'Connell- Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show has been suspended “indefinitely” by ABC following comments he made after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
- President Donald Trump called the move “Great News for America” in a Truth Social post.
- Tyler Robinson, 22, has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other offences, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering, for the fatal shooting of Kirk on 10 September at a Utah college.
- Robinson, who faces the death penalty if convicted, reportedly confessed in text messages to his roommate and in a Discord group chat, stating his motive was a hatred of Kirk because of his rhetoric, saying: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.”
- Officials revealed that unspent bullet casings found at the crime scene were engraved with anti-fascist and mocking phrases, while Robinson's mother noted his increased political engagement in “pro-gay and trans rights” before his father turned him in.
- President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to speak at Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
- The incident has prompted calls for a House Oversight Committee hearing on online radicalization and led to discussions at Utah Valley University regarding enhanced security and student support.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has linked the murder of Kirk to an “epidemic of male loneliness.”
Details on Charlie Kirk's funeral
04:00 , Rachel DobkinCharlie Kirk’s funeral will be held over the weekend. Here are some details on the service:
- It will be held at 11 a.m. local time Sunday at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
- The slain conservative activist’s widow, Erika Kirk, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, along with other Trump administration officials, will give remarks at the service.
- Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, said “enhanced security measures” will be in place.
In pictures: Anti-Trump protesters seen outside Jimmy Kimmel's studio
03:45 , Rachel DobkinProtesters against President Donald Trump were seen outside the Los Angeles studio where Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show is recorded. Here are some photos:
‘We couldn’t be further apart from the left’: MTG doubles down on ‘divorce’ from Democrats comments
03:30 , Oliver O'ConnellMarjorie Taylor Greene has doubled down on her suggestion that a “national divorce” should take place in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The right-wing Georgia Congresswoman said that Republicans now “couldn’t be further apart from the left,” in the aftermath of the fatal incident last week, which Greene claims was celebrated by “millions.”
Mike Bedigan has the story.
MTG doubles down on ‘divorce’ from Democrats: ‘We couldn’t be further apart’
Sinclair Broadcast Group says Jimmy Kimmel show suspension 'not enough'
03:15 , Rachel DobkinSinclair Broadcast Group has said the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show is “not enough,” and called for ABC and the Federal Communications Commission to “take additional action.”
Sinclair Says Kimmel Suspension is Not Enough, Calls on FCC and ABC to Take Additional Action
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 18, 2025
Sinclair’s ABC stations to Air Special in Remembrance of Charlie Kirk During Jimmy Kimmel Live! Friday Timeslot
Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, objects to recent…
Watch: Utah governor fires back at ‘conflict entrepreneur’ Steve Bannon
03:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Utah governor slams Bannon as ‘conflict entrepreneur,’ urges calm after Kirk shooting
Democratic governors speak out against Jimmy Kimmel show suspension
02:42 , Rachel DobkinDemocratic governors have spoken out against the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, calling for free speech to be protected.
Gavin Newsom of California
Buying and controlling media platforms.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 17, 2025
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.
JB Pritzker of Illinois
A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 17, 2025
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.
Kathy Hochul of New York
Freedom of speech must be protected — whether it comes from an individual, a politician, or a comedian.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 18, 2025
The Trump administration’s effort to silence Jimmy Kimmel is unacceptable.
JD Vance asks to save debate on Charlie Kirk until 'after his funeral'
02:30 , Rachel DobkinVice President JD Vance has asked people to save the debate on conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s views and legacy until “after his funeral.”
To my friends on the political Right: I understand the feeling that people are putting words into Charlie Kirk's mouth. At some level, I agree and share your frustration.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 17, 2025
Try to remember: a lot of people loved Charlie. It is natural for them to debate his views and his legacy.…
Kirk’s funeral will be held in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
Speaker Johnson says politicians shouldn’t call opponents ‘enemies’ — but what about Trump?
02:00 , Oliver O'Connell“Leaders cannot call their political opponents Nazis and fascists and enemies of the state because they disagree with their policy priorities. I mean, this is something we should have learned in grade school,” Johnson said during Tuesday’s weekly House Republican Leadership press conference on Capitol Hill.
Isabel Keane reports.
Mike Johnson says politicians shouldn’t call rivals ‘enemies,’ even though Trump does
Inside Tyler Robinson’s mind: What suspected assassin's texts tell us about his possible motive
01:30 , Mike BediganTyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah resident accused of killing MAGA commentator Charlie Kirk, has been formally charged with aggravated murder.
At a press conference announcing charges against him Tuesday, state prosecutors revealed text messages sent by Robinson to his roommate — and alleged romantic partner — in which he appeared to take responsibility for the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University last week.
Robinson evaded capture for 33 hours after allegedly opening fire on Kirk from a rooftop around 160 yards away from where he was speaking, jumping off a roof and disappearing in the chaos. The right-wing influencer, 31, died several hours after being struck in the neck by the bullet.
Robinson has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Here’s what we know about the alleged killer:
Everything we know about Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin Tyler Robinson
White House says ABC is 'doing their viewers a favor' by suspending Jimmy Kimmel show
01:27 , Rachel DobkinThe White House has said ABC is “doing their viewers a favor” by suspending the late night show of “sick freak” Jimmy Kimmel.
They’re doing their viewers a favor.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 17, 2025
Jimmy is a sick freak! pic.twitter.com/9QaetwiKfz
Kimmel’s show was suspended “indefinitely” after he made comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it,” he said on Monday.
Trump celebrates suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show: 'Great News for America'
01:10 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump has celebrated the suspension of late night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show and called for Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers to be next.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday night.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”
Don Jr. says people are losing their jobs to 'consequence culture'
01:06 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr., made a post about people losing their jobs to “consequence culture” as comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show gets suspended and others are fired over comments they made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“They’re not losing their jobs to cancel culture, they’re losing them to Consequence Culture. Consequences and accountability are something Democrats haven’t had to face in a long time,” Don Jr. wrote on X.
Gavin Newsom calls suspension of Jimmy Kimmel show 'coordinated effort to control the media'
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:58 , Rachel DobkinCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom has called the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show a “coordinated effort to control the media.”
Newsom’s comments come after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr celebrated ABC’s decision to halt Kimmel’s late night show “indefinitely.”
Earlier Wednesday, Carr threatened to take action against Disney — the parent company of ABC, which broadcasts Kimmel’s show — following Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Corrupt, despicable, & spineless behavior.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 17, 2025
A coordinated effort to control the media is happening before our eyes & it needs to be called out. https://t.co/vfmc0m8QHE
“We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said on his show Monday.
Carr said on MAGA commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast, “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.
“These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
BREAKING: The FCC Chairman is threatening immediate action against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Disney for deliberately misleading the public by claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA Conservative.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 17, 2025
Chairman Brendan Carr calls Kimmel’s malicious lies are “truly sick” and says they… pic.twitter.com/mGhtGMPReI
Chuck Schumer calls Jimmy Kimmel show's suspension 'outrageous'
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:44 , Rachel DobkinSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show"outrageous.”
“[President Donald] Trump and his allies seem to want to shut down speech that they don’t like to hear,” the New York Democrat told CNN’s Erin Burnett. “This is what dictators do....We are not that country."
FCC commissioner reacts to Jimmy Kimmel's comments on Charlie Kirk
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:36 , Rachel DobkinFCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said late night show host Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk were not “illegal.”
“I saw the clip,” Gomez told CNN’s Erin Burnett Wednesday night. “He did not make any unfounded claims, but he did make a joke, one that others may even find crude, but that is neither illegal nor grounds for companies to capitulate to this administration in ways that violate the First Amendment.”
Kimmel said on his show Monday, “We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”
Watch: Obama says there are 'extremists' on 'both sides'
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:30 , Rachel DobkinFormer President Barack Obama said in public remarks Wednesday, “We have to recognize that on both sides, undoubtedly, there are people who are extremists and who say things that are contrary to what I believe are America’s core values.”
Obama: We have to recognize that on both sides, undoubtedly, there are people who are extremists and who say things that are contrary to what I believe are America’s core values.
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 17, 2025
But I will say that those extreme views were not in my White House. I wasn’t embracing them. I… pic.twitter.com/Crd94TJBep
Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld said later Wednesday, “When they say it’s both sides, it’s their fault.”
Gutfeld: When they it’s both side, it’s their fault. pic.twitter.com/g3pDJrb5TI
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 17, 2025
House Democrat slams ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel show
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:28 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat and ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, slammed ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show.
“This is a direct attack on free speech. It’s one thing for all of us to unite and denounce political violence. It’s another to target people who you may not agree their opinion with,” Garcia told CNN’s Erin Burnett Wednesday night.
“Donald Trump has been in a systematic way attacking the media,” Garcia said. “That overall will harm our country.”
MAGA commentator celebrates the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show: 'FAFO, you piece of trash'
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:19 , Rachel DobkinMAGA commentator Nick Sortor celebrated the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, saying, “This might be the END of Kimmel’s career! FAFO, you piece of trash.”
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Disney’s ABC is PULLING Jimmy Kimmel off-air nationwide effectively IMMEDIATELY and indefinitely following his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s kiIIing, per WSJ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 17, 2025
This might be the END of Kimmel’s career! 🔥
FAFO, you piece of trash. pic.twitter.com/gF6xYNXFrq
MSNBC host calls suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show 'most straightforward attack on free speech'
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:13 , Rachel DobkinMSNBC host Chris Hayes has called the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late night show the “most straightforward attack on free speech” he’s ever seen.
This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I've ever seen in my life and it's not even close. https://t.co/uMjEZkIpat
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 17, 2025
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s show following host’s comments about Charlie Kirk shooting
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:04 , Rachel DobkinABC has announced it will suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show “indefinitely” after the host’s comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
An ABC spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be “pre-empted indefinitely.”
The move comes after Kimmel said on his show Monday, per Deadline, “We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”
Read on...
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s show following hosts comments about Charlie Kirk shooting
Trump accuses Biden of ‘trying to put Charlie Kirk out of business’ with Turning Point investigation
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:00 , Rachel DobkinDonald Trump has accused former president Joe Biden of “trying to put Charlie Kirk out of business” after it emerged the right wing influencer’s organization Turning Point USA was investigated by the FBI.
In a post on Truth Social, the incumbent president asked: “Why was the wonderful Turning Point under INVESTIGATION by “Deranged” Jack Smith and the Corrupt & Incompetent Biden Administration”?
Trump referred to the FBI’s election-related investigation into him, launched in 2022, which looked at dozens of Republican entities. That included Kirk’s Turning Point movement, as revealed by Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IOWA) on Tuesday.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while on stage at Utah Valley University for a TPUSA event, The American Comeback Tour, last Wednesday.
Read more from Bryony Gooch:
Trump accuses Biden of ‘trying to put Charlie Kirk out of business’
What we know about Charlie Kirk's security arrangements before his murder
Wednesday 17 September 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'ConnellLess than two weeks prior to conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah, a sheriff’s department in central California undertook extensive reconnaissance for a speech he was due to deliver.
Officials in Tulare County spent three days preparing for the event at a local Visalia church, which drew 2,000 people. They researched potential escape routes and identified local activists opposed to Kirk. On the day, approximately 60 law enforcement officers monitored his movements, even deploying a drone to secure surrounding rooftops, according to Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
“The very nature of Charlie Kirk coming in requires you take special attention to the nuances of what could possibly happen,” Boudreaux said. “He’s a high profile name and personality. Not only do we have to provide for the safety of people attending, we have to provide for the safety of him.”
By contrast, Kirk's outdoor event at Utah Valley University last week was out in the open, but with far less security.
Read on...
Charlie Kirk traveled across America. His security varied from venue to venue
Obama says America is at ‘inflection point’ in first public remarks after Charlie Kirk assassination
Wednesday 17 September 2025 23:15 , Rachel DobkinBarack Obama has said that the U.S. is “at an inflection point” after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and appeared to accuse Donald Trump and his allies of stirring political division.
Speaking Wednesday at a non-profit event in Erie, Pennsylvania, the former president said that while political violence was “not new” in America, it was “anathema to what it means to be a Democratic country.”
His remarks come one week on since 31-year-old Kirk was fatally shot at a debate event at Utah Valley University, sparking calls for the dismantling of “extreme left” institutions from those on the right.
“Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, what happened to Charlie Kirk was horrific and a tragedy… there are no ifs, ands or buts about it,” Obama said. “The central premise of our democratic system is that we are allowed to disagree and have, sometimes really contentious debates, without resorting to violence.”
Read more from Mike Bedigan:
Obama says America is at ‘inflection point’ after Charlie Kirk assassination
Democratic lawmaker wants drones at public events to scope out and stop assassinations
Wednesday 17 September 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'ConnellA Democratic congressman has called for drones to be used to foil assassination attempts at public events in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death.
New York representative Ritchie Torres said on Monday that he would introduce a bill in the House of Representatives this week ordering the Department of Homeland Security to study the possibility.
Io Dodds reports.
Democratic lawmaker wants drones at public events to spot would-be assassins
After Senate hearing outburst, The View hosts slam ‘incompetent’ FBI director Kash Patel
Wednesday 17 September 2025 22:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe View co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar have heavily criticized Kash Patel after the FBI director was questioned in front of the Senate over the agency’s investigation into the death of Charlie Kirk and the status of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Patel was involved in a heated exchange with California Senator Adam Schiff, during which he branded the Democratic politician “a political buffoon at best.”
During Wednesday’s episode of The View, Hostin, who is a former federal prosecutor, was asked about Patel’s credibility and responded: “I don't know that he has credibility anyway because he's just not qualified for this position.”
Kevin E G Perry has the story.
The View hosts slam ‘incompetent’ FBI director Kash Patel over Senate outburst
Liberal nonprofit groups push back against Trump's threats following Kirk's murder
Wednesday 17 September 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'ConnellMore than 120 left-leaning groups, facing a threatened crackdown by President Donald Trump, released a letter on Wednesday condemning what they call efforts to exploit political violence to distort their work and restrict their “fundamental freedoms.”
The Trump administration has increased scrutiny of liberal organizations following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump and his administration have portrayed liberal groups as fueling a culture of hate speech, sparking fears among these groups of potential government action against them.
Signatories to the letter include left-leaning foundations publicly named by the administration as potential targets, such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and the Tides Foundation, as well as more mainstream nonprofits like the Bush Foundation and the Carnegie Foundation.
“We reject attempts to exploit political violence to mischaracterize our good work or restrict our fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech and the freedom to give,” the letter states.
“Attempts to silence speech, criminalize opposing viewpoints, and misrepresent and limit charitable giving undermine our democracy and harm all Americans.”
Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials from his administration have signaled their plans to use federal power to clamp down on what they see as a liberal assault on conservative values.
With reporting by Reuters
Sheriff: Charlie Kirk shooting suspect agreed to surrender if peaceful; feared being shot
Wednesday 17 September 2025 22:10 , Oliver O'ConnellTyler Robinson, the Utah man charged with assassinating Charlie Kirk, feared being shot by police and agreed to surrender only if it was done peacefully, a sheriff involved in his arrest said Wednesday.
Robinson appeared quiet and somber when he turned himself in with his parents last Thursday at the Washington County Sheriff’s office, a day after Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, said Sheriff Nate Brooksby.
“He didn’t want a big SWAT team at his parents’ house or his apartment,” said the sheriff, who was only involved with the surrender and not the broader investigation.
“He was truly fearful about being shot by law enforcement.”
Prosecutors charged 22-year-old Robinson with capital murder Tuesday and announced they will seek the death penalty, revealing a series of incriminating messages and DNA evidence connecting Robinson to the killing of Kirk, the prominent conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump.
With reporting from the Associated Press
What is Tyler Robinson charged with in connection with Charlie Kirk's murder?
Wednesday 17 September 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'ConnellThe man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk faces seven charges in a Utah court related to the fatal shooting at a Utah Valley University event last week.
Prosecutors filed the charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson on Tuesday, and a judge read them aloud and indicated he would assign a defense attorney.
Robinson’s family has not commented since his arrest.
Here is a breakdown of the charges against him:
A look at the charges against the man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk
“There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, the central premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree and have sometimes really contentious debates without resorting to violence...”
Watch: Vance says he owes political career to Charlie Kirk
Wednesday 17 September 2025 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
JD Vance on why he owes his political career to Charlie Kirk
