Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show has been pulled off the air “indefinitely” after the host’s 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 said on Tuesday.
Robinson, 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.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance will speak at a memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
Key Points
- ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s show following host’s comments about Charlie Kirk shooting
- Trump celebrates suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show: 'Great News for America'
- Democratic governors speak out against Jimmy Kimmel show suspension
- White House says ABC is 'doing their viewers a favor' by suspending Jimmy Kimmel show
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
Writers Guild of America ‘stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers’
07:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe Writers Guild of America – the union that represents writers on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – issued a statement following ABC’s decision to pull the show off the air “indefinitely”.
“The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people. It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice,” WGA West and East said on Wednesday night.
The union added: “As a Guild, we stand united in opposition to anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent. If free speech applied only to ideas we like, we needn’t have bothered to write it into the Constitution. What we have signed on to – painful as it may be at times – is the freeing agreement to disagree.”
The statement continued: “Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world. The WGA stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers.”
Kimmel was ready to address the Kirk comments controversy on Wednesday - report
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarAccording to a source cited by The Hollywood Reporter, Jimmy Kimmel had planned to directly confront the backlash over his Charlie Kirk comments on his Wednesday night broadcast.
The source said, however, that while Kimmel was ready to acknowledge and respond to the criticism, he had no intention of offering an apology.
Trump administration to grant funds for programs that focus on ‘patriotic education’
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe Trump administration has announced that it will prioritize grant funding for programs focused on “patriotic education” – a move critics say could sideline recognition of painful chapters in U.S. history.
“Patriotic education presents American history in a way that is accurate, honest, and inspiring,” the Education Department said in a statement.
“To truly understand American values, the tireless work it has taken to live up to them, and this country's exceptional place in world history is the best way to inspire an informed patriotism and love of country.”
On Wednesday, the Education Department announced the launch of a civics coalition comprising over 40 MAGA-aligned groups.
ABC news anchor quits, saying she faced retaliation after teary Charlie Kirk tribute
06:00 , Oliver O'ConnellAn Illinois TV anchor resigned from her local ABC-affiliated station after she says she was suspended over an emotional “non-partisan tribute” to her first boss, Charlie Kirk.
Beni Rae Harmony announced she was leaving WICS-ABC20 Springfield, claiming to have been “targeted” for her teary-eyed on-air tribute to Kirk, 31, after he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University Wednesday. She made the announcement as suspect Tyler Robinson is due to appear in Utah court on Tuesday for murder charged in connection to the assassination.
Isabel Keane has the story.
ABC news anchor quits, saying she faced retaliation after teary Charlie Kirk tribute
Trump says he will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization and vowed to investigate its funding sources.
“I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices,” Trump wrote.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely after he said the “MAGA Gang” was trying to score “political points” from Charlie Kirk’s murder and mocked President Trump’s response, calling it “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish”.
Kimmel said in his Monday night monologue: “The MAGA Gang are 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.”
Poking fun at Trump, he said: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Soon after ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump took to social media to say: “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 also criticised two other late-night hosts, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers, describing them as “two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible”.
ICYMI: Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin reportedly confessed in group chat after the shooting
04:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe 22-year-old man suspected in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk confessed to friends in a group chat that he had killed the prominent right-wing activist hours before authorities said he was taken into custody, according to a report.
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this,” read a message from the man identified as the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, on the online platform Discord, two people familiar with the chat told The Washington Post.
The message was sent from Robinson’s account to a group of online friends on Thursday night, about two hours before he was taken into custody, according to the report.
Isabel Keane reports.
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin reportedly confessed in group chat after the shooting
CNN contributor points out Nexstar-Tegna merger amid Jimmy Kimmel drama
04:15 , Rachel DobkinCNN contributor Kara Swisher pointed out how Nexstar Media Group is trying to buy broadcast company Tegna amid the drama that unfolded after ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel made comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Following Kimmel’s comments, Nexstar announced it would no longer air his show on its ABC-affiliated stations “for the foreseeable future.”
ABC then announced it would suspend the comedian’s late night show “indefinitely.”
"Nexstar is trying to do a very large merger with Tegna, and so they will do whatever it takes,” Swisher told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday.
Cooper chimed in: "That's an important point, because that merger would require the approval of the FCC."
Kara Swisher on Jimmy Kimmel: "Nexstar is trying to do a very large merger with Tegna, and so they will do whatever it takes."
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) September 18, 2025
Anderson Cooper: "That's an important point, because that merger would require the approval of the FCC." pic.twitter.com/38fLBseX1p
Earlier Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to take action against Disney, the parent company of ABC.
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."
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.
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.”
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.”
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
