Disney’s ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! Off Air After Backlash Over Charlie Kirk Remarks

Nexstar affiliates preempt late-night show indefinitely as FCC, White House, and political leaders react strongly to controversy

Los Angeles, September 18 – In a dramatic turn of events, Disney’s ABC network has pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely” following a storm of backlash over the host’s controversial remarks about the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

According to Variety, Nexstar Media Group – which operates several ABC-affiliated stations – announced that it would no longer air the popular late-night talk show. Instead, it will replace Kimmel’s program with alternative ABC content.

The decision came after Kimmel, during his Monday night monologue, criticized attempts by supporters of former President Donald Trump to politicize the tragedy.
“We had 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 using it to score political points,” Kimmel said.

Kirk, a prominent Trump ally and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead last week during a speaking event at a Utah university. Police identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the shooter, charging him with murder after he allegedly fired a single bullet from a rooftop that struck Kirk in the neck.

Political and Regulatory Fallout

The fallout from Kimmel’s remarks has been swift. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr vowed action against ABC, praising Nexstar’s move:
“Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be unprecedented, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that fails community standards.”

Meanwhile, the White House has announced it will pursue what it called a “left-wing domestic terror movement” in response to Kirk’s assassination. Critics, however, warn the initiative could be weaponized to suppress political dissent.

Adding to the tension, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that visa revocations are already underway for foreign nationals celebrating Kirk’s death.
“America will not host foreigners who justify or celebrate the murder of our fellow citizens. If they are here, we should revoke their visas,” Rubio stated firmly.

The Bigger Picture

The suspension of Kimmel’s show reflects the highly polarized climate in the US, where media commentary, political violence, and freedom of expression frequently collide. While Disney and Nexstar’s decision underscores the pressure networks face, it also raises broader questions about where to draw the line between provocative comedy and offensive insensitivity in an already divided nation.

As debates intensify, one thing is certain: Charlie Kirk’s killing has sparked a ripple effect well beyond politics—reshaping media, governance, and free speech discussions in America.