ABC has pulled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off air indefinitely over comments he made about the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely, a spokesperson for the Disney-owned network said in a statement. Kimmel did not comment to the BBC as he emerged shortly afterwards from the television studio in Los Angeles.
Earlier this week, Kimmel said during his show that the Maga gang was trying to score political points off Kirk's killing.
A 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on Tuesday charged with aggravated murder over last week's shooting of the 31-year-old conservative activist.
Kimmel's Monday night monologue provoked criticism, including from the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, who urged Disney to take action over what he called the sickest conduct possible.
Kimmel's remarks regarding Kirk’s death prompted a variety of responses, igniting discussions about the limits of political commentary and the responsibility of broadcasters to operate in the public interest.
Supporters of Kimmel have rallied against the suspension, framing it as a threat to free speech in the entertainment industry. The Writers Guild of America condemned the broadcaster’s decision as a violation of constitutional rights.
After the ABC announcement, which followed Nexstar Media’s decision not to air Kimmel's show due to his remarks, the late-night host was seen leaving the studio without comment, while a protest occurred outside the venue.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by late-night hosts amidst rising political tensions and changing viewer preferences, raising questions about future programming dynamics and freedom of expression in media.
