Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Sep 23: ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will resume airing on ABC this Tuesday, nearly a week after being suspended following host Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing. The decision was confirmed by ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said in a statement on Monday. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
Kimmel had drawn backlash for suggesting during his monologue that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk’s killing, may have been a supporter of former President Donald Trump. “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said, accusing conservatives of politicizing the incident.
The show’s suspension was quickly applauded by former President Trump and his allies, who have repeatedly blamed the “radical left” for the activist’s death and rejected any claims that political violence comes from both ends of the spectrum.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr even threatened regulatory action, warning that the agency could consider revoking the licenses of ABC affiliate stations if necessary.
Despite the political support for ABC’s decision, the suspension sparked fierce criticism across the entertainment industry. More than 400 celebrities, including Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston, signed an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) open letter defending Kimmel’s right to free speech and condemning the network’s move.
Compounding the controversy, Nexstar Media Group, the country’s largest local TV broadcaster, announced on September 18 that its ABC-affiliated stations would preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ “for the foreseeable future.” Nexstar owns or partners with over 200 stations, reaching 220 million viewers nationwide.
As Kimmel prepares to return to air, the incident continues to stir debate over free expression, political discourse, and media accountability in an increasingly polarized America.